A visit to the extensive ruins of Hailes Castle is the objective on this straightforward riverside walk from the attractive village of East Linton. The alternative return route is along a quiet minor road.
Riverside footpath, can be muddy in places; return route is along quiet minor road.
Bus to East Linton.
East Linton High Street.
The walk begins from the water fountain on the High Street in East Linton. The village - long since bypassed by the A1 and recently bypassed again - has a host of attractive old buildings and pubs. The village is perhaps best known for Preston Mill, one of Scotland's oldest meal mills and now owned by the National Trust for Scotland; it is a short distance along the B1407 towards Tyninghame on the John Muir Way. Our walk begins by heading south along the High Street, then turning right at the T junction to pass under the main line railway.
Almost immediately turn left down a lane, signed as a public path to Hailes Castle. The lane bends right at the bottom where a riverside path leads upstream beside the River Tyne. The path - which can be a little muddy at times underfoot - soon passes under the A199 road, which was the original line of the A1 Bypass. Continue upriver in its secluded little glen. At one point the path climbs up a series of steps in an area which is bedecked with snowdrops in February, before it descends once more to the banks of the Tyne.
Soon the path reaches and passes under another high road bridge, this time carrying the modern A1 expressway. The noise of traffic is soon left behind as the path continues along the banks of the river, soon becoming attractively wooded. Eventually the route passes beneath the gardens of a cottage below Overhailes to reach a footbridge over the river. A new path continues upstream towards Haddington, but our route turns left to cross the bridge, signed for Hailes Castle.
On the far side follow a path uphill to reach a minor road, then turn right to soon reach the entrance to the ruined castle. The castle dates back to the late thirteenth century, but was dramatically expanded over the next 200 years. Though it has seen plenty of action, being captured by the English before being regained by the Scots, and was later dismantled by Cromwell's Roundheads, the remains today are impressive and well worth exploring. The oldest part of the castle was later converted to a doocot and the dove pens can still be seen.
It is possible to extend this walk by taking a footpath heading south to reach the road below the hill of Traprain Law which dominates the horizon to the south. However the route as described here simply returns along the minor road, passing under the A1. Turn left after passing some houses to reach the A199, crossing this with care to continue on the road opposite. This passes under the railway and then over the stone bridge over a picturesque stretch of the river to return to the heart of East Linton. Take the next right turn to head back up the High Street to the start.
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