This section is 12.5 miles / 19 Km across undulating countryside and
forest track. The section is divided into two halves each with a
significant high point to cross where the views are wonderful.
The Way resumes at the Teviotdale Leisure Centre and having crossed the
A7 trunk road and walked along the first section of Princes Street the
route turn north and right up the road leading to Stirches. This is a
constant climb through a mixture of housing before the open
countryside is reached. On the right across the open field sits a care
home, previously this big building was St Andrew's Convent. There now
follows a further kilometre of walking on the side of a minor road
until the route separates from the tarred road near to the entrance to
Drinkstone Farm.
After only a short section of track a stile is reached then the path is
on a grass track over fields and then moorland as the route still
climbs to the first high point on the section at 1000 feet to the NE of
Drinkstone Hill. From here there is a 360 degree view with
Rubers Law and the distant Eildon Hills visible along with the higher
hills between the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys to the west.
Even on a good day the horizon may contain some more threatening clouds
in one direction, but if the weather permits enjoy the panoramic view.
There now follows a gradual decline through forestry and moorland
towards the small community of Ashkirk. On the descent on Ashkirk Hill
there are views to the east towards a loch at Synton Mossend with the
Edinburgh to Carlisle road passing to the east. At the foot of the
forest the track crosses the Ale Water, turning right onto the minor
road and then immediately left over a stile, through a field and then
another stile that takes the walker onto Woll Golf Course.
As you walk across the golf course there are numerous way markers but
the walker needs to be careful to avoid or distract the players. This
course starts in the Ale Vale but as you follow the route north it
starts to climb as the track follows the line of the Thief Road. From
leaving the golf course the path is a continual climb now to the
highest point of the section and of the complete Way.
At a tight corner on the Ashkirk to Hartwoodmyres road at Wollrig the
Way joins the narrow road and there is a section of tarred road to
follow as it rises to the
Bishop's Stone and this high vantage point.
Stop here and look to the south in particular for interesting views and
to track the route you have just been taking. For views to the north
you will have to wait until you have entered Hartwoodmyres Forest.
The entrance to the forest is clearly identified on the right and this
forestry is used for all types of recreation such as cycling and horse
riding. The track is well defined and shortly the track reaches a
corner where the way turns to the left and starts to descend. This is
the first vantage point for views toward Selkirk and the hills
surrounding the Tweed. There are also views over to the Ettrick Valley
and Bowhill Estate.
At the lower edge of the Hartwoodmyres Forest the waking surface
changes from a forest track into a rough grass path as the walker
continues their descent towards Middlestead. This is pleasant walking
countryside with moorland fields turning to more cultivated land and
animal grazing. The views ahead are of the Ettrick Valley, distant
Tweed Valley and of Selkirk.
At Middlestead the route bears to the right and follow the minor road
for approximately a kilometre before reaching Brownmoor Farm and then
soon crossing a stile on the left and heading across fields. This is
the final section into
Selkirk and passes by the Haining Loch with the
large Haining House in the distance. The route then comes round via a
wood and stable block to pass by the front drive of this large but
somewhat drab property that clearly has seen better days.
From the front of the Haining the walk is down a tree lined drive to a
stone archway and the public road from the East Port to the Ettrick
Bridge. At the road turn right and soon you reach the Market Square
with the statue of Sir Walter Scott and the Courthouse Museum. To the
right of the Courthouse and up the narrow street you will quickly
reach the ruined Auld Kirk (1747 - 1861) with its elevated views over
the town.
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