This enchanting walk heads upstream along the beautiful banks of the River Tweed from the town of Peebles. It passes the dramatic Neidpath Castle before crossing the river to climb to a viewpoint before descending through the woods.
Riverside and woodland paths with a short section of minor road. The paths are rough in places.
Bus to Peebles.
Kingsmeadows car park, Peebles.
Peebles is one of the most attractive towns in the Borders and is packed with interesting shops and cafes. There is free parking in the Kingsmeadows car park on the south side of the Tweed - it is on the B7062. Begin the walk by heading up the steps to the road bridge over the river; cross both the road (carefully) and the river before turning left on the far side down to the swimming pool. Head left here to gain the river bank, and then right upstream.
The path crosses a footbridge over a tributary and continues upstream. At one point it heads up steps before turning left through a gap in a stone wall to pass in front of an impressive whitewashed house. The river is then rejoined down a second flight of steps. Continue by the Tweed, passing (but not crossing) the footbridge.
Soon the riverbank becomes wooded with oak, ash and alder and the path gets a little rougher - rocky in places. The scenery, however, becomes even more idyllic, with the landscape complemented by the dramatic ruins of Neidpath Castle high above the path. The castle dates back to the fourteenth century but was remodelled in the seventeeth - it is owned by the Earls of Wemyss and March.
The riverbank path passes through a gate and climbs gently before descending back to the river and passing under the curving arches of the old railway viaduct. Further on the main path leads through a gate and then turns left to run along the old railway line itself, which closed in 1950. Continue until a minor road is reached near the confluence of the Tweed and Manor Water, and then turn left to follow the road across Manor Bridge.
Take the next road branching off to the left. This crosses the picturesque old bridge over the Manor Water before climbing up to the corner of the woods ahead. Here there is a parking area and viewpoint on the right, giving splendid views up the valley. Continue along the road for another 150m before turning left through a gate into the far corner of the wood. The path immediately forks; take the branch that continues straight ahead, remaining amongst the trees. Further on the path forks again, with the main branch seemingly bearing left; again continue ahead. The route now starts to descend and crosses an area where several trees have been blown over.
Eventually a fence is reached which protects from the drop over the mouth of the railway tunnel below. Follow the fence to the left on a rough path which eventually leads down onto the old railway line. Soon a clear path crosses the route at an angle; turn sharp left here to return to the Fotheringham footbridge over the Tweed. Do not cross but instead turn right and follow the tarred footpath down the near bank.
Eventually this reaches the road bridge over the river in the heart of Peebles; go up the steps, cross the road carefully and head down the other side to return to the Kingsmeadows car park.
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