Location:
Borders
Map: OS Landranger 73
Distance: 4 miles ( 6km )
Time: 2 hours
Terrain: Riverside and woodland oaths This walk may be short on distance but it is
certainly not light on quality. Riverside walking is always pleasant
and the stroll by the Tweed out of Peebles is no exception. At first,
while crossing Hay Lodge Park, it can
be fairly busy but as soon as you get on to the rockier section the
crowds thin
out. Near the end of the park is the point where the riders in the
annual Riding of the Marches cross the river, fiags and banners waving
— a great sight if you are there at the right time. High above towers
Neidpath
Castle, a stronghold typical of many in the troubled lands of the
Borders. It dates to the 14th century but was largely re-modelled in
the 17th century by
the Earl of Tweeddale. Ownership later passed to the Earls of Wemyss and
March who still hold the castle today. It is not open to the public but
can be booked for weddings and events.
Beyond the castle the path goes through or just below beautiful
woodland with a rich variety of species including oak, ash, larch,
beech and alders. You pass under an old railway viaduct ( built 1864 )
which is a superb piece of civil engineering, constructed as it is on a
skew. You may see dippers in the river and, if you are very lucky, even
a kingfisher.
The Tweed is crossed by the 1883 Manor Bridge and shortly afterwards
you cross the Manor Water by a venerable stone bridge dating to 1702.
This was called a stipend bridge because it was built with monies
provided by a vacant parish. It is now happily closed to vehicular
traffic.
You will see notices here about this being the upper limit for salmon
fishing. The Tweed is a noted salmon river but upriver from here the
fish travel to their spawning grounds before starting the long journey
back
to the sea.
A steep climb up the brae known as the Manor Sware follows, with
compensations in the ever-expanding view looking back. Massed hills
rise to the south and west while below the stately river flows through
the
centre of the picture.
The walk then enters South Park Wood, which again has many fine old
trees and is a lovely place to stroll through with dappled sunlight
forming patterns on the path. A downhill section leads you to the top
of a railway tunnel. Long since closed, this tunnel was used to store
works of art for safety during the Second World War.
Before long you are back with the Tweed - and no doubt more people
enjoying the surroundings.
The Fotheringham Bridge, gifted to the town by a former “guiterbluid” (
Peebles-born ) who lived most of his life in South Africa, leads across
the river, but this walk stays on the south bank for the final stroll
back to the car park. lt’s a short walk up to the High Street which has
plenty of cafes and bars as well as a variety of independent shops.
It's a great
place to spend a leisurely day.
Route:
Start and finish at Kingsmeadows car park, Peebles (GR: NT252403 ).
Walk back to the Tweed Bridge, cross the river and TL past the swimming
pool on to the riverside path.
Walk through Hay Lodge Park and continue on a rockier section below
Neidpath Castle.
Continue under the old railway viaduct and up to a road.
TL, cross the Tweed and TL again across the Old Manor Brig.
Walk up Manor Sware.
Opposite the car park ( with view indicator ) TL on a small path that
drops down to a broader path in the woods.
TR and follow path round the hill, eventually dropping down to run
above the railway tunnel and then on the left embankment.
When the embankment levels out TL down to the river and TR on riverside
path back to the car park.
Map of
Peebles
( Note:
Click here or
on above for large format copy )
Map of Peebles
( Note:
Click here or
on above for large format copy )
Map of Peebles
( Note:
Click here or
on above for large format copy )
Map of Peebles
( Note:
Click here or
on above for large format copy )
