In Brief
This is a moderate route from St.Mary's Loch to the Traquair Arms in Innerleithen with a mixture of terrain, hilly, drove roads, hill paths and moorlands.
Walk Start Point
This walk starts from the Tibbie Shiels Inn (NT240205) which is situated at the Southern end of St Mary’s Loch.
To get there, from Selkirk follow the A708, from Innerleithen the B7062 and from Moffat the A708
Walk Description
A refreshment at the Tibbie Shiels Inn is always a good way to start, especially during the height of summer when you can watch the boats from the local sailing club out on the loch. From the boat club, follow the south shore of the loch, making for a nice easy start to the journey. At the end of the loch, cross the yarrow water, then the road A708 where it is signposted with the Southern Upland Way signs. After crossing the stile, head towards Dryhope, where you will see Dryhope Tower. This ruin was built in the sixteenth century, and was once inhabited by Walter Scott of Harden, although these days it should not be enteredas it's in a dangerous condition. From the tower, follow Dryhope Burn, then head towards Blackhouse, passing Mid Hill on your right, and then South Hawkshaw Rig on your right. This section is occasionally wet under foot. The path then crosses over Hawshaw Cleuch, a wooded gully between South Hawkshaw Rig and North Hawkshaw Rig, and then then makes its way to Blackhouse after crossing the Douglas Burn.
At Blackhouse, you can see the Blackhouse Tower which was built in the late 16th Century. It was once owned by the Douglases, notably Sir James Douglas, who won many a skirmish against the English, and always makes for a nice spot to stop off for a break.
Carrying on from Blackhouse, follow the forrest track up Craighope Burn and continue through the forrest until you reach the stile, then head towards Blake Muir. Keep to the Southern Upland Way path. This part of the route is well exposed: when visibility is good you can see Minchmoor, and at times the Three Brethren
some 14 Km to the east (both of which are on the S.U.W. route), as well as Dunrig and Birkscairn. Then, carry on the drove road which takes you to Peebles (also a nice day's walk from St Mary’s Loch).
Leaving Blakemuir head down the ridge towards Fethan Hill (372m) then on to Kirkhouse; from Fethan Hill you can see down to Glen House, the birth place of Captain John Porteous. From Kirkhouse it’s a walk along the road via Traquair to Innerleithen and a welcome stop at the Traquair Arms.
Transport Arrangements
Attempting to sort out the pick-ups using public transport is pretty much impossible so it is recommedended that you leave a car in Innerleithen before starting the walks.
If you are on a Border Walking guided walk or walking holiday, your transport will be taken care of.
Maps
Ordnance Survey Landranger Sheet 73 - Peebles, Galashiels & Selkirk, Tweed Valley - Buy Map Online
Further information for walkers
facilities in Selkirk
facilities in Innerleithen
Guided trips
To enquire about a guided trip on this route or walking holidays in the area, please contact us.
Other Walks in the Scottish Borders
The details in all our walks are periodically updated but if you discover changes in routes or have any problems please get in touch. Please take sensible safety precautions.
Contributor Info
This walk was contributed by Stuart Ruffell. Please feel free to contribute your own favourite walks, pictures etc
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