A Circular walk along the River Teviot and old railway line from Kelso

Back in January we went through to Kelso to buy stone for a garden project in the back garden and visit the Antique fair. Having Maisie with us we also went for a walk along the Teviot River and explored the ruins of Roxburgh Castle. I'd heard from fellow gardeners Walledgardenborders on Instagram that there was a circular route if we carried on, so we decided we would come back in the summer with a picnic and do the 7 mile walk as a day out. So the beginning of July saw us with a picnic in our rucksack, sunglasses on and setting out on this riverside walk (flat, so David was happy).

There is parking in Kelso itself but we parked just across from the entrance to the river walk. A quick hop over the style or through the gate and down the steps and the path meanders along the side of the River teviot. A wide bend edged with tall poplars takes you to below the ruins of Roxburgh Castle.

Part of the ruins of Roxburgh castle

The path skirts the river on the left and wide fields to the right. The weather was beautiful, a rare sunny, hot summers day this year, so perfect to be out and about. The wild flowers were everywhere, they are definitely enjoying the wetter weather this year. Geranium pratense, umbels of all kinds, thistles, meadow sweet, campanula (garden escapee) and Himalayan balsam (not so good) edged the path and river which slowly drifted by, sparkling in the sun and with a haze of insects above it. We saw dragonflies, herons and bonking beetles, to name a few.

Maisie stepping out enjoying a good walk

Sweet cicely

Wheat

The path peels away from the river and up a slight hill, keeping on the edge of a wheat field, you can see Heiton Mill on the opposite river bank. There was lots of Sweet cicely growing on either side of the path with its dark long seed pods.

Looking back 

Bramble flowers

We hopped over the style across the path and along the edge of the next field until a shed came into view. At the shed the path comes out onto the road to Roxburgh village to the left. We walked down the road and through the farm buildings at Roxburgh Mill. Its a quiet road and not much traffic and the views over the ripening arable fields with with fluffy clouds in the blue sky was perfect. 

Roxburgh Mill

A perfect summer view

An easy walk following the road through the peaceful village, passing the church on the left to a junction in the road. To the left you can see the remains of the old railway, with embankments where bridges were once. This is where we leave the road and begin the return journey to Kelso along the old railway line this time. Be careful, there are two disused railways at this point where an junction once was. Both have gates and paths leading up to the track bed, make sure to take the first one on the left to get the right path back to Kelso. 

Once up on the old railway line its not long before we were on the old viaduct, an attraction of doing the walk. We could see it when we were walking along the road to the village in the distance and its fair old height at 70 feet above the river. Once on it the River Teviot again came into view. Once cool thing about this viaduct is it has a metal foot bridge attached to it lower down. We didn't cross it, but you could see it below if you peered over the side. 

Looking back towards Kelso from the viaduct

The footbridge

Enjoying the view from the viaduct

Spotted orchids at the side of the old railway

Picnic time with a view over the valley

Maisie wondering why she can't have pies for lunch

Its now an easy walk back along the old railway line to kelso, with views over the valley to where we walked along the river and Floors Castle. Again lots of wild flowers, hedgerows and fields on either side, old bridges and signs of the railway here and there.

Silene

Floors castle 

Maisie wondering why her humans are so slow

The old railway eventually emerges onto Jedburgh Road and we turned left and followed the pavement down the hill past impressive displays of annual wildflowers planted at the side of the road. At the end of this road we turned left and onto the B6352, Station Road opposite the garrage. Again a left here and downhill past Brigend Park where there are views over to Kelso. Across the main road at the brige over the Tweed and along the river on the A699. The river is to the right with the town on the farm bank and the Border Union Show Ground on the left. The pavement takes you along the perimeter of the show ground and eventially across the Teviot Bridge across the River Teviot and back to the car.

An impresive display of annuals by the road in Kelso

Views of Kelso

Our route

A very enjoyable varied walk in the country, quiet and relaxing and an easy 7 miles. Once back at the car we decided we were in need of refreshments and being only a wee way from Floors castle we decided coffee and cake would do the job. Dogs are allowed in the outside area of the cafe and with views of the gardens, whats not to like and since we were there we went for a wander arround the gardens which are always a delight. So many great colour and plant combinations and of course I'm always envious of a walled garden as opposed to our exposed hill garden at our nursery Quercus Garden Plants. 

Well earned refreshments

Here are some of my favourite views from our walk around the gardens.

Love the use of Pratia in this corner

and the Gunnera

Can't help but love neat rows of colourful veg

Filipendula and Veronicastrum

The hot border

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