Herring Road and Clints Dod, near Stenton

Summary

An enjoyable circuit over the open heathery moors of the eastern Lammermuirs, giving fine views towards the North Sea. The Herring Road - and ancient route used by fishwives carrying creels of fish to market in Lauder and by the folk from the hills bringing herring back from Dunbar for use during the winter; it passes through an area occupied by a new windfarm.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Open moorland tracks and minor roads for much of the distance; some sections of the old routes have become much rougher underfoot.

Getting there

Start

Pressmennan Wood car park.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NT621726

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 19km / 11.75 miles
Time: 5.5 hours
Ascent: 491m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

Begin from the car park at Pressmennan Wood. Head back to the road, and turn left along it, keeping on the road as it turns right by the track to Deuchrie Farm. Take the next left to head to Stoneypath Cottages. From the cottages continue up the lane towards the farm, and then following the track when it swings to the right - signed as a right of way to Longformacus. Ignore the next track that branches right, keeping straight on through a gate. The route now gently climbs through the countryside; looking back, the Bass Rock can be seen on a clear day. When the track meets another at a t-junction, go straight ahead onto a grassier track. Eventually this leads through another gate and onto heather moorland.

Stage 2

Like the better known Herring Road used on the return, this is an old trade route. The highest point - Clints Dod - is actually off to the right of the old way, but the feeling here is one of open space, not height. There is a slight dip at one point with boggy ground underfoot, and the Crystal Rig windfarm visited on the return route comes into view. Pass through a gate and continue straight ahead, joining with a very boggy track coming in from the left.

Stage 3

The track leads on down towards the farm at Johnscleugh. A sign at a fence corner indicates that you can avoid the farmyard by turning right alongside the next fence. Follow a path round to the right of the plantation. The path eventually reaches a marker post at the top of a steep bank which drops down towards the farm track below - descend steeply to join the track. Turn right along this, following it when it bends sharp left to eventually join the minor road along the glen of the Whiteadder Water.

Stage 4

Turn left along this for just over a kilometre where it crosses a cattle grid. On the far side of this turn left onto a track (signed Herring Road to Dunbar), recrossing the Whiteadder Water and through a gate. This track is modern - built to service the giant pylons - but it follows the route of the old Herring Road. Follow the track when it swings left to climb uphill. About a kilometre from the road the track swings right and there is a Herring Road sign - keep straight here along the original Herring Road route, with a fence on your left.

Stage 5

Pass through a gate where there is a wind farm information board. Continue following the fence line to a corner, and then follow the red marker posts towards the main gravel track. Turn left and follow the track to a metal hut where the track forks. Ignore both branches, instead heading for the marker post between them and continuing towards the pedestrian gate in the fence beyond (it looks like a ladder stile from a distance). Continue to reach and cross a main track (right of way signs here) and continue beyond to drop down to and cross the West Burn. On the far side head for the gate at the fence corner and pass through this, keeping the fence on your left. At another fence corner with a track just ahead turn left, leaving the Herring Road and again walking with a fence on your left (parallel to a windfarm track at first).

Stage 6

Go straight ahead across another track, when a gate is reached at the end of the windfarm pass through both it and the gate on the right to continue in the original direction, now with a fence on your left. Keep straight on across the open common; the route continues directly ahead though it is rough in places. It climbs gently and becomes grassy, giving views towards the coastline, with the great volcanic plugs of Traprain Law and North Berwick Law prominent.

Stage 7

The route curves left for the descent, passing through a beautiful old sheepfold. Continue past the old house at Lucknow, through a gate and slightly uphill to Deuchrie Farm. At the farm head through a gate to pass between the farmhouse and the barns, joining the tarred road beyond. This meets a minor road at a bend; keep straight ahead here along the road until the lane heading back to the car park in Pressmennan Wood.

Route Profile

Where to stay

East Lothian Hotels

East Lothian cottages

Edinburgh hostels

Glamping and Camping

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