Dryburgh Abbey to Scott's View
| Distance | Approximate Time | Height Gain | OS Map |
| 6.4 kms | 03:00 (hrs:mins) | 300 metres | Explorer 338: Galashiels, Selkirk & Melrose |
Description
Park the car in the car park 100 metres from Dryburgh Abbey (which is a Historic Scotland property, Sir Walter Scott's resting place and well worth a visit either before or after the walk). Walk north from the car park along the road, past the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel, and soon after a phone box, turn off the road onto a track on the left which leads after a short climb to Wallace's statue. This was the first statue to be raised in Wallace's honour. The 22ft statue of the 'Guardian of Scotland' was commissioned by the eleventh Earl of Buchan and was erected in September 1814.
From the monument carry on along the track heading to the quiet minor B6356 road. Once at the road, turn left heading north along it for around 1½ kilometres past Bemersyde House and Gardens (the gardens are open to visitors in the summer months) and towards Bemersyde Hill and Scott's View. From Scott's View the walk continues via a track to Bemersyde Hill and this involves a short but steep climb to 229 metres, providing magnificent panoramic views over the surrounding countryside and towards the Eildon Hills.
Return to the car park by the same route. Food and refreshments are available at the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel or in nearby Newton St Boswells.
Access Info
From the north, take the A68 to Earlston, turn off onto the A6105 then sharply onto the B6356. Continue down this road to Dryburgh Abbey. From the south, take the A68 to St Boswells, then turn off onto the B6404. After crossing the bridge over the River Tweed, turn left towards Clintmains and follow the road round to Dryburgh Abbey.
Additional Info
There are a number of other visitor attractions nearby, which include Bemersyde Moss (a Scottish Wildlife Trust nature reserve), Melrose Abbey and Trimontium Roman Camps to mention just a few and Smailholm Tower is also a short drive away and well worth a visit.
