Walk of the Week: Abbotsford, Borders

The home of Sir Walter Scott, Abbotsford is currently undergoing a major refurbishment. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a walk around the outside and along the River Tweed.

The woodland is currently filled with spring flowers and the aroma of wild garlic.

A network of paths allows you to get higher still and enjoy views to the Eildons, above Melrose. With a loch nestled among hills to enjoy a picnic, this is a perfect walk for spring. n

DISTANCE 5 miles. HEIGHT CLIMBED 610ft. TIME 2½ to 3 hours. MAP OS Landranger 73. PARK To the west of Melrose turn off the A6091 on to the B6360. There is a car park opposite the entrance to Abbotsford House.

IN SUMMARY Follow a path across the road from the car park, signed ‘Borders Abbeys Way Diversion’. After passing the building site drop down to the River Tweed. About 50 yards before the river go left at a marker post. Drop down to a small wooden gate and walk on a waymarked grass path, the Tweed to your right and Abbotsford to the left.

At the end of the horse pasture which the grass path crosses go through a wooden kissing gate to a small path in trees. Follow to the right.

After a few hundred yards go left at a fork, up a path away from the river. At a bench go right and cross a road. Follow a sign for a path into woodland. Go through a small wooden gate on the edge of a large field and turn right to follow the field edge. From the corner it is a strenuous pull to the top. At the top, follow the field edge to the left to reach a gate. Cross a stile just before the gate and drop down a track on the other side. On reaching another track, in front of Faldonside Loch, go left. The track reaches a cottage and stables at the end of a road.

Follow the minor road and after a few hundred yards go right, up a track to Cauldshiels Loch, a third of a mile away. The loch is a great picnic stop – follow a path along the edge of the water to find a good spot.

Return to the road and go right. A few hundred yards down the road go left at a wooden signpost for ‘Borders Abbeys Way’, up a lane. When the lane reaches a T-junction go left to follow a narrow lane past a farm and down to the car park at the start.

REFRESH Melrose is the place to head for a good choice including Marmions Brasserie and Burt’s Hotel. The café at the new Abbotsford House visitor centre is due to open this summer.

WHILE YOU ARE IN THE AREA Melrose Abbey (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk) in the centre of the town is both extremely picturesque and the place where the heart of Robert the Bruce is said to be buried. From next year the refurbished Abbotsford House (www.scottsabbotsford.co.uk) should be open to visitors. The new visitor centre is due to open this summer.

NICK DRAINEY