Bessie's Hill and Castle O'er, near Eskdalemuir

Summary

This walk links the sites of two iron-age hill-top forts rising above a blanket of forestry to give open views above the River White Esk. The forts are linked by a forest track and the return is along a quiet and attractive minor road.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Mostly forest tracks and minor roads. Some shorter sections of grassy forest path - muddy in places.

Getting there

Start

Bessie's Hill forestry car park, 2.5km south of Eskdalemuir.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NY249951

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 178m (Profile)

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Explorer 323 - Eskdale

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

Park in the forestry car park, accessed from the minor road west of the River White Esk to the south of Eskdalemuir. The first part of the walk is an out-and-back trip up to Bessie's Hill to visit the site of two iron age forts. Begin by heading along the track that led into the car park, then fork left onto a grassy path climbing uphill, marked by a blue waymarker post. The path heads up through the trees, eventually reaching a clearer area and becoming a little muddy underfoot before steps lead up onto a forest track.

Stage 2

Two iron age forts can both be visited from this point. For the first, take the path opposite which continues uphill to reach the higher and smaller of the forts, with grand views up the glen. After exploring the fort, return to the track and then turn right. The larger fort is visible to the left of the track; take a path that leads left just after the fort, marked with a blue marker post. The path leads past an information board and crosses over part of the fort before looping back to the track. Retrace your steps back to the path junction and back down to the car park.

Stage 3

This time follow the track past the parking area, past the metal barrier. At a fork, take the left branch. The track runs generally southwards, parallel to the River White Esk; several sections of forest have been felled permitting some good open views.

Stage 4

After another 2km, keep on the main track as it bends right, ignoring the smaller track left which is used later. A short distance further on a grassy path branches off to the right, marked with a yellow marker post. This leads up to a stile and information board; cross the stile to head up to Castle O'er, an even larger iron-age hill fort. This series of grassy earthworks, with obvious banks and dykes as well as traces of roundhouses in the centre, dates back 2,000 years. There are no waymarks on this section, but once at the fort head left along the nearside embankment.

Stage 5

The bank eventually descends into an area of confused ditches and banks; from here aim left alongside a ditch to reach a stile in the fence down to the left. Cross this and follow the path down to the main forestry track. Turn left along this, then keep straight on at a junction with another large track heading right. The outward route is then rejoined; when the track bends left, keep right this time onto a rougher track, with a yellow marker post.

Stage 6

This track leads through a gate, down to a parking area for Castle O'er, and then the minor road beyond. Turn left along the road to begin the walk back to Bessie's Hill car park. Although on tarmac, the road is quiet and has good views over the White Esk.

Stage 7

At one point the natural amphitheatre of Over Rig can be seen down on the near side of the river; an information board gives several theories as to its origins. Continue along the road until the sign for the car park at the start of the walk, up on the left.

Stage 8

If time and transport permits, it's interesting to visit the Kagyu Samye Ling Buddhist centre before leaving the area; it is a couple of kilometres north of Eskdalemuir; there is a tea shop.

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