Kirknewton to West Linton via Cauldstane Slap

Summary

This classic crossing of the Pentlands follows the line of the Thieves Road, a 17th drove route, and by the late 19th century a popular excursion for Edinburgh walkers linking the rail stations at Kirknewton and West Linton. Whilst the latter station (and its rail line) is long gone, there is a bus link back to Edinburgh for those making the same trip today. The route also forms the first stage of the Cross Borders Drove Road long distance walk; whilst this officially starts at Little Vantage 5km into the route, there is no public transport to that point so most opt to start at Kirknewton.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Minor road, varied marked footpaths. Some boggy patches east of Harperrig.

Getting there

Start

Kirknewton station.

Public Transport

Railway station at Kirknewton at start, buses also available. West Linton at the end of the route has buses to Edinburgh (via Penicuik) and Biggar.

Start Grid Ref

NT104671

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 19km / 11.75 miles
Time: 4.5 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 430m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Leave the railway station and turn right along the road, crossing the level crossing. Ignore a road off right, then take the next left onto Leyden Road. This is a quiet minor road, leading past an attractive barn and passing under the railway. On the far side follow the road as it swings right, and then left 450m later. Continue for another 1.5km until the Forestry & Land Scotland sign for Selm Muir on the right. Turn right here onto a track past a barrier, as signed for Thieve's Road and Little Vantage.

Stage 2

Continue along the track through the trees, ignoring a turning off left. After 500m a wooden marker post indicates a turn off left, crossing a stile next to a gate. Go straight ahead through the field (livestock usually present) to a gate at the far end, then continue along the grassy track now with a fence on your left. After another gate and stile the track becomes clearer; keep ahead at a junction to reach the farmhouse at Leyden, which has camping huts. Pass to the right of the house, then follow the track as it swings back left.

Stage 3

As you pass a barn on your left, turn right onto an uphill track - there's a stile and gate. Follow this until a bungalow, then curve right to pass to the right of the garage. Continue up the track to a gate into an open grassy field. Keep ahead, then aim to the top right corner of the field, to the right of the trees. Go through a pedestrian gate here, then keep just right of the gorse until a marker indicates where you can head left again to another pedestrian gate. Pass through this and continue on a narrow path in the heather, marked by occasional posts. The path keeps to the right of a band of trees. After crossing a small footbridge it bends left, then emerges at the A701 road at a stile. Go straight across with care, taking the path on the far side - signed for West Linton and Cauldstane Slap.

Stage 4

This is the official start point of the Cross Borders Drove Road. Follow the path to the right of a drystone wall (a path off right links into a car park), keeping ahead to a pedestrian gate. Continue ahead, now clear of the trees but still with a wall on your left. After a tiny footbridge the path bends slightly left to head to pass through a couple of gates and into a narrow group of trees. There are a few boggy stretches on the next section - but a new boardwalk and some old sleepers help avoid the worst. Pass through more gates, and eventually over a footbridge with railings over the outflow from Harperrig reservoir.

Stage 5

On the far side bear right to a pedestrian gate, then continue to the left of a fence. Marker posts lead to another gate, then there are more boardwalks as the rough path continues towards the gap between East and West Cairn Hill. Ignore a path off left (that heads up East Cairn Hill), instead continuing towards the pass, eventually over more grassy ground. There are extensive views back over Harperrig.

Stage 6

At the top of the pass is a gate and stile, and a sign dating back to the 1880s. Ignore the paths off up the hills on either side, and continue on the main path across the moorland ahead. Eventually the path joins a track, and crosses a footbridge beside a ford.

Stage 7

After a last rise the track descends, with views over Badinsgill Reservoir. Pass through a gap between plantations and continue along the track, becoming tarmac after the first buildings. At Badinsgill Farm take a left turn, signed for Badinsgill House. After 500m leave the tarmac lane and fork right through a gate (signed for horses).

Stage 8

Keep right through another gate and follow the grassy track that contours along the hillside to the left of a stone wall. This is a lovely stretch of walking, running along the side of the hill with excellent views across the glen of the Lyme Water. Continue ahead, passing through several gates, until the route leads past an old barn. Go straight ahead at the junction beyond; soon the track bends left. It meets the line of a Roman Road at the next signpost - go sharp right here (signed West Linton). The mounds and hollows on your left are the Siller Holes - remains of a sixteenth century silver and lead mine.

Stage 9

At the next fork keep left (signed West Linton via the Loan). There are various optional footpaths off to the right, but the Drove Road follows the track, becoming a lane and passing some lovely varied houses as it descends into West Linton. The main road is reached opposite the Gordon Arms, and the bus stop is right here.

Cross Borders Drove Road next stage: West Linton to Peebles

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