This short circular walk explores the tracks and hillfarms on the western slopes of Liddesdale, above Newcastleton.
Good tracks or paths for most of the route; one or two spots can be very wet underfoot.
Bus to Newcastleton.
Douglas Square, Newcastleton.
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There is ample parking in Douglas Square in the centre of Newcastleton. The village - also known as Copshaw Holm - was built in 1793 on a grid pattern, replacing the older village of Castleton whose site is visited on this route. From the square take the street that heads southeast by the stores (Whitchester Street) down to the river, and then turn left along Liddle Street. As the road bends left, continue ahead onto a footpath alongside the river. Eventually the path cuts left at a cottage to head back up to the main road.
Head right along the main road - taking care to look out for traffic - until turning off left just after the Black Burn onto the old railway line which continues parallel to the road. This emerges onto a farm track leading to Roan; turn left up this.When the track forks turn left uphill to reach Raltonside Farm; there are good views looking back across Liddesdale.
Continue uphill along the track, climbing up onto rougher moorland and passing through a gate. Keep left at a fork to continue to the end of the track at another gate into a grassier field. Go through the gate and head diagonally half right through the field, keeping to the left of the plantation.
Head towards the abandoned farm of Woolhope, passing through a gate and then left round the back of the farm to pick up its old, grassy access track. The track heads downhill, soon swinging sharp left and passing through a gate - it is very wet in places. After a second gate the track reaches another alongside the Black Burn. Go straight across and over the bridge, following the track up the far side to the house and farm of Blackburn.
Go through the gate and farmyard, following the track as it crosses Badda Cleuch. Take the next track which forks off left, leading through a gate. From here the route is faint; bear right along a grassy track through the field, heading down to a gate in a wall in a dip. Go through this and continue ahead with the fence and telegraph posts on your left to reach another gate. Pass through this and then turn left on a rough track across Pathhead Moss.
Eventually the track swings left; shortly after, go through a gate on the right and over a bridge over the old railway line to emerge on the road beyond. Turn briefly right here, and then left at the footpath sign by the bench to regain the outward route back down by the Liddel Water and into Newcastleton.
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