The Borders Abbeys Way

Distance: Approx 7.5 miles

Terrain: This is a varied route, with a fairly steady climb from Jedburgh town centre and later a steep section up the side of Merlin Wood onto the side of Black Law. There follows a gradual descent through mainly agricultural land to the village of Denholm.

The Borders Abbeys Way provides an opportunity to explore the central part of the Scottish Borders area. King David I established four monasteries in the borders - Selkirk Abbey which moved to Kelso, Melrose Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey and Dryburgh Abbey. This circular route of 68 miles links these historic Border towns.

Coming into the town you are greeted with the majestic ruin of Jedburgh Abbey. Founded in 1138 by David I, it occupies a commanding position overlooking the Jed Water. The 12th century abbey church is one of Scotland's most outstanding medieval buildings.

This house of Augustinian canons from Beauvais in France was deliberately located close to the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon monastery and stones from a nearby Roman fort can be seen in its fabric.

King Alexander III was married to Yolande de Dreux here in 1285 and King Edward I of England stayed here during the wars of independence - his soldiers took the roofing lead for siege engines. The abbey, and the town, bore the brunt of attacks by the English and their allies seven times between 1409 and 1545 and was fortified in 1548 by French allies of the Scots.

The story of the abbey is told in an interpretation centre and the cloister and domestic ranges have been excavated and laid out to view.

In the low lying fields near Jedburgh and between Denholm and Hawick mixed farming is found. Fields may be used to grow crops of wheat or barley in a rotation with grass. The grass may be grown as a crop and cut for hay or silage. You may see black bags holding the cut grass which is preserved for winter feed. Sheep and cattle may graze the grass at other times.

In the upland areas cattle or sheep graze the pasture. Areas of heather, tormentil and other upland plants may be seen. Look out for signs of badger, especially near the shelterbelts of forest in this section.

From Jedburgh Abbey , pass along Abbey Place to the Square. Turn left into Castlegate and go uphill to the Castle Gaol. At the Gaol, now a museum, bear left into Gala Hill and go downhill until the road ends. Keep left over the small bridge and join the track on the other side. Pass Todlaw House on the left and follow the narrow tarmac road to a junction. Turn right, and head uphill on a rough track.

Eventually, after a number of bends, the track meets the old road, now a track, from Jedburgh to Swinnie at a T-junction. Turn left onto this track, and continue to follow it to the second coniferous plantation at Merlin Dean. At the plantation, turn right as signed.

After crossing the bridge, climb up the hill, keeping close to the plantation. At the end of the plantation, turn left through the small gate and continue along the top of the wood and through a second small gate. Turn immediately right here through yet another small gate and onto the open hillside with the radio masts and the summit of Black Law on the right. Bearing slightly left and away from the fence on the right, follow the waymark posts on the hillside.

After crossing the brow, the distinctive shape of Rubers Law appears ahead and to the left. Continue downhill towards the right side of the small wood known as Blacklaw Strip, and after crossing the stile, go down the side of the wood. On leaving the wood bear left, cross the burn and pass over a stile onto a track. Turn right at the second gate and go down the farm track to the minor road.

To reach the Bedrule Kirk, a short diversion from the route may be taken here, otherwise turn left.

After passing the War Memorial , turn right downhill and over the bridge spanning the Rule Water at Bedrule.

There has been a place of worship at Bedrule Kirk, in its peaceful setting, for many centuries. The present building dates from 1804, and has superb modern stained glass windows.

A mound nearby marks the site of Bedrule Castle, the 16th century seat of the Turnbulls.

The route crosses the 18th century Bedrule Bridge over the Rule Water - a name said to mean 'roaring', which is appropriate when the water is in spate.

The road swings sharply to the right. Almost immediately turn left and follow the minor road uphill, signposted for Bonchester Bridge. Follow this road for approximately 400 metres to where it turns sharp left. Go straight on here and follow the track to a plantation.

In a further 100 metres, follow the track left and after crossing the stile into the field, turn right and follow the fence to the first gate. Cross the stile, adjacent to the gate, and go straight on along the edge of the field. Turn left at the edge of the field and follow the wall to a gate. After passing through the gate, go across the field. After crossing a ladder stile and then a small burn, join the track leading towards the buildings at Spital Tower.

When the track swings right, cross the stile and follow the fence and over another stile. Turn left over the small bridge and proceed up the left side of the fields. At the top of the hill, turn left and continue along the side of the wood to the first gate on the right.

Go through the gate and cross a stile onto the track known locally as The Loaning. In about a kilometre you reach the A698 Hawick/Kelso road in Denholm.

Map

Jedburgh to Denholm

Visitor Information

For further information log on to www.visitscotland.com/walking.

You can also order your copy of a guide that gives detailed information and route maps for 54 great walks, information on long distance routes, walking events and festivals, accommodation and outdoor access. The dedicated VisitScotland walking web site includes more than 900 walking routes, 59 walking operators and the walkers welcome scheme has 1300 members across Scotland.

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