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National Trail Guides UK
Contents : SOUTHERN UPLAND WAY
Introduction Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 THE SOUTHERN UPLAND WAY CROSSES SCOTLAND WEST TO EAST COAST
Day 8 :: On Top of the Moors :: Melrose to Longformacus :: 25 miles
After crossing the footbridge I followed the banks of Lauder Water for a short distance before turning right to pass round the edge and then through the woods to the A697. Then I took the road opposite and climbed to Wanton Wells Farm. The huge metal sheds of the farm came into view first. At the top of the road the path led left through the farm and after leaving the farm, right, uphill and past a water filter station and a large scaffold structure further up the hill. A gate at the top of the track led to Park Hill Wood. A last look back offered a fine, if not misty, view over Lauder and the farmland around.
After crossing a stile by the gate I ran a short distance into the woods before turning right and following the track around the side of the woods. A Southern Upland Way way marker directed me to the side of a wall that ran along the edge of the woods for a short distance, and then a stile took me onto open land and rough pasture. There was no discernible path and the way markers were difficult to see, more so because of the slight mist.
I used my map at the top of the hill to find where the path met a wall just after crossing the Snawdon Burn, and ran in this direction. it was not long before I picked up a way marker
Before reaching the burn the path had led around a number of marshy parts and then crossed a stile at a wall and had followed the wall. The grassy turf had now become tuftier but remained soft.
After a short while the path left the wall on a soft, springy, grassy track and as the track swept to the right I had a fine view of the woods ahead and of the Blythe Valley. Nearing Blythe Water I crossed into a field. The Southern Upland Way turned from the track I had been following and led me on an unmarked path diagonally across the field and then down to the burn. A way marker could be seen below if very carefully looked for. There should have been one by the stile at the entrance to the field. The path leaving the valley up the hillside could be seen clearly, as could the distant woods of Scoured Rig, to which I was headed.
Because there was so much mist around today I was carefully noting all of the distant landmark features on my map while I had the chance, so that if the mist came down suddenly I would still have a general sense of direction.
MI ran to Scoured Hill woods, all the while listening to the bird song of skylarks and lapwings. Once I reached the woods my path kept outside of them until reaching a farm track and wooden stile at a wire fence and gate opposite a firebreak. I crossed the stile and passed quickly through the woods. As I did so a blanket of mist swept up the valley and engulfed me. It was very cold but very thin and did not offer any immediate threat.
Once out of the woods I followed the farm track down to Hosebog Farm. A sign on a gate before reaching the farm indicated I was entering a private estate. I rand down the curving track and just before reaching the farm was ushered back uphill on a U bend of the path.
As I climbed the path I looked to my right at the woods I had recently left and noticed that the mist had thickened around them. It was not too bad where i presently was.
All around me now was the heather of the game reserve. As I ascended the gentle slopes of Gailmuir Rig I was concerned about the mist which was threatening all the time to reduce the visibility on my path. I noted on the map my next objective, the path that turned right and swept across the northern end of Hareclough Hill Woods. I thought I would be alright as long as I kept the woods on my right until reaching this new path. A few minutes later, however, the woods disappeared from view as the mist came down heavier. So I had to navigate by following the path and way marks and by using my GPS. The GPS settings had not been accurately made, but fortunately they were accurate enough.
I continued the climb, looking out for a sheepfold and copse on my left. A large metal hut with hay within appeared and next to it was the sheepfold. Beyond was the small copse of young conifers. So far so good.
There were grouse butts all around. As the path swept to the left a track appeared to a distant quarry. I ignored this but it provided a useful bearing. Continuing forward I ran towards the new path which my GPS told me was getting very near. The mist was thicker and icier now, and even though I was running I could feel the cold like piercing icy fingers.
A momentary break in the mist permitted me to see the way marker at the top of my hill, and the hills beyond, and also Harecleuch `Hill woods to my right.
At the top of the rise my track came to a sudden end and a new stony track, partially grassed over, commenced on the right. This is the track I had been looking out for. This track led to my next objective, the Twin Cairns of Twin Law. This was an easier track to follow. The mist lifted again and I saw the Twin Cairns. I wanted a good picture of them and raced to get closer before the mist came down again. The mist did come down again before I got close enough but I was still able to take adequate pictures.
As I passed the farther of the two cairns I noted a recess built into it with a seat, a very fine seat with a very fine view on a sunny day.
My legs and feet were now very sore but I continued to run downhill, the mist thinning and the air warming as I did so. I crossed a stepped stile over the wall and took a much softer and grassier track down. Twinlaw wood came into view and as I reached and passed it I turned left, joining another path that cut it. It led me past the eastern edge of the wood and downhill to a deep ford (Twinlaw Ford) and footbridge.
Windy Law
After crossing the footbridge next to the ford I ran uphill and turned right soon after onto another track, seeing now Watch Water Reservoir, previously hidden in the mist. A ran along the soft sandy, grassy path towards woodland and then ran past Dam Howe, to enter the farmyard of Scarlaw, via a gate. I then ran along the road from the farm which overlooked the reservoir, reaching the dam. I followed the road downhill as it swept the eastern flanks of the reservoir, offering me a terrific view of the valley below, the farthest parts of which were still covered in mist.
Looking back at the reservoir there was nothing much to see because the mist had closed in again. I then followed the road for about 2 miles, downhill into Longformacus passing an aqueduct and the Cowhill Plantation and Rathburne Wood.
