Walk of the week: Ettrick Water, Selkirk

SELKIRK bannocks are great – Queen Victoria is said to have enjoyed a taste when she visited the Borders town. Despite royal approval, it is the appreciation of our four-year-old daughter that counts.

For once, our first-born, the font of all knowledge, enjoyed the teatime treat I brought home. Usually the remarks range from “not nice” to “don’t like” – mind you, a Selkirk bannock seems preferable to pies, cooked sausage or smelly cheeses.

Apart from the gastronomy, Selkirk also has a lovely stretch of river. The path by Ettrick Water passes through sections of woodland filled with flowers and birdsong. Out of town is a salmon ladder, the second in two weeks for this column.

Take a bannock with you, though it’s even better back at home. At least that’s what my daughter says.

DISTANCE 5½ miles.

HEIGHT CLIMBED A few small rises on good paths.

TIME 2½ to 3 hours.

MAP OS Landranger 73.

PARK Next to the Ettrick Water at Victoria Park in Selkirk, behind the leisure centre.

IN SUMMARY Head to the river and go right, along a metalled path. Continue downstream and, after about half a mile, go left over a second pedestrian bridge; turn left on the other side. This leads back past the first pedestrian bridge, on to a path that runs along the side of a playing field.

Follow a yellow arrow left, over a small footbridge. The path beyond leads to a minor road, up to the A707. Go right then almost immediately left to go down Ettrickhaugh Road, by the side of Selkirk rugby club.

At the end of a stone wall which borders Selkirk cricket club go left, following a red arrow. Cross a footbridge, bear right then drop down steps on the left. Go straight ahead, keeping by the river. Go right at a fork, to a track at the far end. Go left to re-join the river and reach a weir. Follow a wide track until it bends right, where you take a path on the left. Go right to keep on the path and on reaching the track again go right. At the point where you originally left the track go left, on to a woodland path. Go left when the track is reached again and return to the weir.

Instead of going the same way back, take a path on the left, next to a meadow. This leads to Old Mill Farm, where you can detour left to visit the salmon viewing centre and the Waterwheel Tea Room. The route goes straight on at the farm. When the track bends right take a path to the left.

Continue on the path to the point passed earlier, near the cricket club. Return to Selkirk Bridge and, on the other side, drop down steps to follow a grass path to the riverside path taken at the start. Pass a rugby pitch to return to the car park.

REFRESH The Waterwheel Tearoom is your best bet.

WHILE YOU ARE IN THE AREA The salmon viewing centre is a good place to stop (www.salmonviewingcentre.com).