Quiet roads and paths through scenic Peebleshire including disused railway line from Peebles to Rosslyn Chapel and castle.
Detailed Description
From Peebles Information Centre in High Street go west 100 m to roundabout. Turn right and descend steps of old stone road bridge to the west bank of Eddleston Water. Keep north on the west bank for 600m , then cross over to east bank for another 700m to silver metal footbridge which takes you into Kingsland Square to a T junction. Turn right onto Rosetta Road past a campsite, Rosetta holiday Park, on the left.
(NOTE TO CYCLISTS-This section of the route may not be suitable for some cyclists due to steep slopes and rough conditions – to bypass it continue along the road until it joins the A703, then take a left and continue north 4km until you reach Eddleston.)
After 1 km you arrive at a fork , bear left up a track ((signposted The Melons via Hamilton Hill and Old Drove Road 3 miles) towards Hamilton Hill, bypass the hilltop on your left and continue northwest until you reach a fork with gate to left (2 km). Enjoy the views. Veer right past the gate along path down the side of the hill to a burn (Follow small white circular signs of Cross Border Drove Road). Continue along burn for 500 m, through gate and turn left along path along fence to meet tarmac road. Turn right and follow sign (CBDR) 600 m to junction, then left onto a quiet twisty road for 1000m arriving at Stewarton. Follow sign turning right up hill. After 400m there is information board and sign. Follow sign for 2.5 km along Old Post Road to cemetery (Here you can take right fork at cemetery into Eddleston (Pub with rooms and tearoom). Continue along OPR path 3 km 2.5 km to crossroads with signpost and go straight ahead on tarmac road for 2.5km to T junction.
(NOTE TO CYCLISTS-Cyclists should continue along the road until it joins the A701 then turn right and follow the A701 about 3km to The Leadburn)
Turn right following sign to Cowieslinn for 500m to the old farm buildings, then follow the track left and down the hill 400m where it joins the old railway line, follow it north about 2 km through the Millennium Farm buildings and until it reaches the forest. Then follow the old railway through the forest and across the junction at the other side. Keep on following this track as it narrows to a path and eventually descends a steep bank onto the A703. Go left along the side of the A703 for 100 yards until you reach the Leadburn Hotel.
After The Leadburn, follow the A701 north towards Penicuik, then take a right after 1 mile and head down over the river. (NOTE TO CYCLISTS-Cyclists should continue on the A701 until they reach Penicuik, then take a right after crossing the first bridge)
Arrive in cluster of houses with small lake ( See below TEMPORARY ROUTE CHANGE ) on left. Cross stream and turn left after the first house and rejoin the old railway line. Continue along railway line to where it joins a main road (B6372) to Penicuik.
TEMPORARY ROUTE CHANGE. Between lake here and B6372 along the old railway line there are various broken bridges which make crossing stream very difficult. Also the route is blocked by stout barbed fences. This is a proposed core path and has been reported. Recommended route is to continue from lake along lane to T junction with A6094 (300 yards) and turn and along pavement through Howgate to junction( 1500 yards) and turn left onto B6372 to Penicuik.
(Temporary Closure starts)Turn left off the lane after the first house after the river, rejoining the old railway line. Continue along (avoiding old bridge to cross burn) to where it joins a main road (B6372) Temporary Closure ends) and turn left towards Penicuik (B&Bs, pubs etc but no hostels or campsites)
Continue until the road meets a larger road, then take a right, go over the bridge and take another right following signs for the cycle path to Roslin. Follow this road till the end until you see the cycle path goes off to the right. Follow the cycle path down by the river for 6km, through the tunnel and over the viaduct until you reach a signpost for Lea Farm. After passing that turning take the left after the next bridge, and follow the road down (West) until it reaches a T junction, go left and head down into Roslin Glen until you meet the river and the car park. (NOTE TO CYCLISTS-Cyclists continue over the bridge and take a right once you reach the village and another right signposted to Rosslyn Chapel.)
Then turn right into the car park, sticking close to the river, and find a path from the back of the car park that leads to a bridge over the river. On the other side of the bridge take the steps up the hill until you meet the road. On your right is Roslin Castle, but follow the road left and take a right at the T junction to the car park for Rosslyn Chapel.
Rosslyn Chapel was started in 1456 and is widely regarded to be one of the finest religious buildings in Scotland architecturally. It is famed for its carvings, including the repeated ‘Green Man’ and the exquisite Apprentice Pillar. The village of Roslin itself has a hotel, a few tearooms and a grocery store.
This is the 8th section of the great pilgrim trail, St Wilfrid’s Way, from Hexham to Edinburgh and then on to St Andrews (website:http://www.thewayofstandrews.com)
