A network of paths surrounds the village, incorporating tracks, rights of way and public footpaths.
Scottish Borders Council has published 'Border
Brains Walks' a free guide to exploring the lives and ideas of the
Berwickshire geniuses David Hume, James Hutton, Duns Scotus, James Small
and Alexander Dow, in the beautiful landscape that gave them birth.
Right click here to download the brochure in pdf format. (Please
note the file is large and may take some time to download.)
The most recent footpath to be created runs from Chirnside Bridge
(Ahlstrom) to Ninewells South Lodge, on the road to Allanton. This
follows the course of the River Whiteadder, is about 2 miles long, and
takes about an hour to walk.
Starting from the Information Board near
the bridge, the well-defined path climbs and slopes gently as it follows
the riverbank, through woods and along the water's edge. Eventually, the
path rises away from the river, (up steep and sometimes muddy steps),
through woods, before emerging below Ninewells North Lodge. From there,
you can keep right, following the path to the South Lodge, or turn left
to walk back to the village.
To the south of the village, the Bluestone Ford makes a pleasant
destination for a walk down to the River Whiteadder. This is a favourite
spot for children paddling and swimming in the summer, and the river can
be crossed by the Victoria Footbridge, a few yards downstream from the
ford.
Immediately before the ford, a fisherman's path runs along the
bank for a while, and if you follow it, you will eventually catch a
glimpse of Hutton Castle, once the home of Sir William Burrell.
The Loanings, a network of paths and tracks on the north side of the
village, also offer long or short walks, with a panoramic view of the
surrounding countryside on a clear day.
Although the area is intensively
farmed, it is surprisingly rich in wildlife, due to small plantations of
trees and abundant hedgerows. While walking the Loanings, you may see
many species of hedgerow birds, partridges, pheasants, oyster catchers
and larks, or be fortunate enough to spot hares, foxes and roe deer.
Further afield, there are coastal walks at Coldingham, the Southern
Upland Way crosses Berwickshire from Lauder to the coast at
Cockburnspath, and the Herring Road runs from Thirlestane Castle across
the Lammermuirs to Dunbar.
These routes are well signposted, and
leaflets describing the walks are available from Tourist Information
Centres.
Click on the map for a larger version
A quiet footpath through the village
The Eildon Hills in autumn
The beach at Cocklawburn
The wide, open beach at Goswick