An easy hill circuit passing the ruins of Gamelshiel Castle before climbing to the summit of Spartleton Hill. The route then crosses the moor to descend via the ancient Herring Road back to Whiteadder Reservoir.
Bog Factor
Hill tracks and paths, with short pathless section to summit of Spartleton
Small parking area just east of Whiteadder Reservoir dam on B6355.
None to start.
NT646642
Whiteadder Reservoir lies on the B6355 Gifford to Duns road - there is a small parking area just on the east side of the dam on the north side of the road. From here walk up the track alongside the water which is popular with overwintering birds. Follow the track until it forks and bear right to follow the Hall Burn.
Soon the remains of Gamelshiel Castle are reached with a round sheep fank adjacent. The two walls are all that remain of the 14th century tower house which once stood here. The thickness of the remaining walls gives some indication of its strength and it is believed to have had a vaulted cellar at ground level. Just beyond the castle cross the Hall Burn and head up a path on the far side which soon becomes clearer as it traverses the side of Spartleton Hill.
It is possible to head directly up to the summit from here but it is steep and rough going and it is easier to follow the path around until an easier, shorter route from the north (if the summit is all you have in mind an easy track heads up from Gamelshiel Farm just a little further east along the B6355). Continue on the path passing the top of Cot Cleugh and then heading uphill to cross Watch Cleugh. Shortly afterwards a gateway in the fence on the right is reached. Head through this and then aim directly up Spartleton.
It is possible to follow the track to the summit but it is longer and the easy gradient makes the climb through pathless heather fairly quick. The summit is marked with a cairn and trig point and overlooks the Crystal Rig windfarm and coast beyond. On a clear day Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat can be made out to the west.
From the summit return to the gap in the fence and once through, keep the fence on your right and follow a faint track alongside the fence, ignoring the other tracks heading further west. As the route goes under the pylons turn right onto a grassy track which soon meets a stone track. Turn left along this and soon it joins the ancient Herring Road. Bear left to follow the track downhill. At the height of the herring boom in the 18th and 19th centuries this route would have been followed by fishwives carrying heavy creels of herring to markets in Lauder from Dunbar on the coast. It was also used by people who would buy a winter's supply of salted herring to provide food for the cold months. Near the bottom of the hill the track follows a hairpin bend.
As the track levels out and before a gate and the burn, turn off to the left to follow a grassy track keeping to the east side of the water. This easy track undulates as it follows the watercourse eventually rejoining the outward route and passing Whiteadder Water before reaching the starting point.
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