The John Buchan Way (Peebles to Broughton)

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
22 kms	1 day	800 metres	Explorers 337: Peebles & Innerleithen and 336: Biggar & Broughton

Description

The John Buchan Way is a route from Peebles to Broughton in the Scottish Borders, a distance of approximately 22km (13 miles). The route is way-marked in both directions, and was opened in Spring 2003. It is named after the writer and diplomat John Buchan (1875-1940), who has many associations with the area.

Walking the John Buchan Way - the route mainly follows long established hill tracks through the Peebles-shire countryside. It has three main ascents and descents which give a total climb of about 800 metres, but the climb is never severe.

The walk can be completed in one day by strong walkers, or can conveniently be split at the halfway point at Stobo by catching a bus. It is recommended that full hill walking gear is used for this walk, as part of the walk can be fairly exposed.

Refreshments can be obtained in Peebles at The Tontine Hotel located on the High Street and the Sunflower Restaurant on Bridgegate. It is recommended that you take plenty of food and hot drinks with you if undertaking this walk in winter.

Most people would remember John Buchan as a novelist and writer of fast moving thrillers, and the best known - The Thirty Nine Steps - became a successful Hitchcock film. However there was more to his life. Born in Perth, he spent childhood holidays in Tweeddale, and took the name Lord Tweedsmuir when he was elected to the House of Lords in 1935. His love of the Scottish borders is shown in many of his works.

The walk starts from Bank House at the west end of Peebles High Street close to the church, a Buchan family home. Cross the Tweed and continue on the short road straight ahead and then turn on the track uphill. Turn right at the top and walk along the road before taking the path at the side of the High School. Follow this path round, turn right on the road and then left at the end. Continue to the end of this road, at the entry to Tantah House.

Turn right here through a metal gate (public footpath sign) and walk uphill beside the wall. At the wall junction go through the wooden kissing gate and take the right hand of the three paths, climbing and curving right on to Cademuir Hill. The path joins a power line and continues its steady climb. At a fork, go left , with higher hills now visible ahead and to the right. The summit of Cademuir is also clear. At the next fork go right and continue round the hill on a good grass path.

Cademuir Hill has two impressive forts. The main fort on the upper part of the hill extends to over 2ha and is surrounded by ramparts and contained at least 35 small circular dwellings.

At a multiple path junction keep ahead towards Cademuir Hill and at the next fork go left and take the path that runs beside the wall and start descending. There is a superb view of the hills at the head of Glen Sax, with Huddleshope Heights prominent. Follow the lovely path as it curves right and runs easily down past a Scots pine plantation to the road. Just before reaching the road, take the path that parallels the tarmac a few metres above it and runs round the base of the hill.

Join the road just past the entrance to Cademuir Farm. It swings left and right past Milton Farm. Cross the swift Manor Water, passing picnic tables. Turn left along the Manor Valley road to reach The Glack.

At the farm go left for a few metres and then right, through a metal gate and head up through the fields, crossing several stiles. Cross an old dyke, go past the corner of the wood and over a stile at the boundary march between The Glack and Easter Dawyck. Go left, climbing towards the small summit seen ahead. It contains the site of an ancient fort. There is a lovely view of the Tweed valley at Stobo and beyond to Broughton Heights, the area of the latter part of this walk. From the fort, head downhill, to the west, keeping outside the fence line. Continue downhill across the field, past a small wood on the right.

Cross the small burn at any convenient point, join the farm track and turn right. At the second gate, turn left to follow the fence. Just before a gate, go right over a stile. Turn left to follow the line of the wall and fence to another stile. Cross, and turn left along the farm access road. Cross the bridge over the Tweed and reach the main road. Turn right.

In 200 metres from the road end to Easter Dawyck you pass the entrance to Stobo Kirk.

Stobo Kirk, according to tradition stands on the site of an even older foundation associated with St. Mungo. A stained glass window in the kirk depicts the legendary magician Merlin being baptised by the saint.

The walk however takes the next opening on the left, signed for Easterknowe Farm.

Past the cottages, where the main track curves right to the farm, turn left over a stile onto a lesser track by the Easton Burn. Continue along the track as signed, climbing gently, with a good view of the hill named Penvalla ahead.

Pass through a gate at sheep pens and cross the stile at second gate. Then be sure to take the left fork. Walk beside the plantation and continue to reach the ruined cottage of Harrowhope, in a wonderful setting.

Turn left in front of the cottage and cross the burn by the footbridge. Walk uphill to the pine trees, pass through them, climbing steadily, and cross the dyke by the ladder stile, with Penvalla filling the view ahead.

Continue on a clear grassy track towards the gap ahead with an expansive view behind. As you rise to the top, Broughton Heights will appear ahead and to the right. Keep right and follow the lovely old track round the hill, descending slowly towards the Hopehead Burn. Pass an old round sheep stell, cross the burn and climb to join the main track. Turn right and walk up to Stobo Hopehead.

Turn left with the track before the house, and at the gathering shed go left as signed up a rough path on the open hill, with the well Burn below to the right. Keep to the same height for a while before starting to climb again towards the obvious gap in the hills ahead. Pass an unusual hexagonal stone stell then higher up, keep left at a fork then swing right and left, aiming for a kissing gate at the low point of the saddle.

Go through the gate and walk half-right on a cleared strip in the heather. In about 250 metres, go left as signed to start the long descent to Broughton. Keep low down with the path, which soon improves into a broad grassy track giving delightful walking with the Hollows Burn chuckling down to your left. Before long you can see Broughton Place ahead. Cross the burn and climb steadily to the left of the small wood.

There is an expansive view, taking in Culter Fell to the left and ranging around to Tinto on the right. Descend to the kissing gate and walker's car park at Shepherd's Cottage and continue past Broughton Place.

Walk down the access road past Broughton Place Farm to the main road, cross and turn left. The pavement starts in about 200 metres, and at the junction with the B7106 Biggar Road is the welcome Laurel Bank tearoom. The John Buchan Way continues through Broughton, passing the premises of Broughton Ales Ltd. The route currently ends at the John Buchan centre, at the south end of the village.

Wildlife to watch out for along the way:
In the field beside Tantah House look for linnet and other finches in the gorse. The forest section of open hill holds Stone chats and Whinchats during the spring and summer. Kestrel and Buzzard are also likely around the summit of the hill. The norther footslope is marshy and has breeding Lapwing and Curlew.

On Broughton Heights, Raven, Buzzard, Kestrel and Red Grouse are present throughout the year. In the woods look out for Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher.

Grade - strenuous
Terrain - roads, tracks and paths

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Access Info

The starting point for this walk is the public car park in the centre of Peebles off the A72. The 91 bus service, operated by MacEwan, links Peebles with Stobo and Broughton. For full timetables contact traveline 0870 6082608 or any Tourist Information Centre in the region 0870 6080404.