Jedburgh to Hawick - Tales of walks along the Borders Abbeys Way
Nineteen of us were blessed with a sunny day at the start of our walk to Hawick. The sky was blue behind the old red sandstone building of Jedburgh Abbey. The huge abbey was built in the 12th century on the site of the old Christian worship place of Geddewrda. We passed Jedburgh Castle Jail, and continued along a wee road, with the Jed water below us. Tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies were flying in the warm air.
At Todlaw farm we saw swallows, some of the first of the year. We walked along a track with the Dunion beside us. In the bushes nearby, yellowhammers sang for us. Their rhythm goes "little bit of bread and no cheese". At the trees in Merlin Dean we heard a willow warbler, a summer visitor. We went on to Black Law where the skylarks were singing high in the sky above us. We descended to a grassy knoll in a sheltered spot for lunch. Sitting in the sun we had a great view of Rubers Law in front of us.
As we hiked we chatted about those who had thought of the route and organised it with the land managers on the way. Roger Smith, Jack Jones, Phillippa Parrish and Martin Palminter were among those involved from the partnership "Borderpaths". Now there is a walkable route of 65 miles in length linking many of the towns in the central Borders. Bus routes link the towns and villages and other locations along the route making it easy to walk in day-long sections. We are also grateful to the farmers and landowners along the route.
We crossed Bedrule Bridge and continued towards Spittal Tower with views of the Minto Hills, Rubers Law, the Eildons and Peniel Heugh, Minto Crags and Fatlips Castle. We descended along the Loaning to Denholm and joined the riverside path along the Teviot. We watched sand martins across the river. They had arrived there recently from abroad and were setting up home in a sandy bank by a park area called Quoiters Haugh.
Near Hassendeanburn we passed trees by the road, including a huge oak tree and a large sycamore. The gentle aroma of wild garlic filled the air from Ramsons and few flowered leek. Alongside these were butterbur plants with
strange flowers. Further along, the native white flowered wood anemone was out under the trees and alongside primroses. Now
we were only a few miles from Hawick and paused to look at Hornshole Bridge, built over 200 years ago. The section of riverside
path, from here to Hawick in the woods, has been improved with boardwalks, steps and path clearance. This has made it a bit
easier to walk than it was a few years ago. We passed Mansfield Park Rugby Ground. On the Teviot, in the town, birds included
oystercatchers, grey wagtail and gooseander. And another sign of Spring - a mother duck with ducklings.
For more information on other countryside walks look up the Outdoor Diary website or contact us on 01835 830281. Leaflets describing the Borders Abbeys Way are also available.
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