Location: Near Ancrum, Scottish Borders

Location: Near Ancrum, Scottish Borders

Map: OS Landranger 74 (GR 641244)

Distance: 5 miles (8km)

Time: 2.5 hours

Terrain: roads, tracks and paths

 

This is a lovely walk leading to the splendid Waterloo monument in Teviotdale.

Park at the Harestanes visitor centre just off the A68. Walk back up the access road on the red waymarked route and turn right on a path which leads pleasantly through the woods. Go through a gate, cross the road and continue on a path which climbs gently through the woods beside the burn. This path joins, then runs along a section of the Dere Street Roman road. This major Roman highway ran from York through Melrose then on to Edinburgh and the Antonine Wall beyond. There is little to see on the ground and soon the route exits the trees on to a minor road. Break away from Dere Street and walk north-east along the road past Folly Loch with Baron’s Folly, a summerhouse and observatory, peeking out above the trees on Down Law.

When the road bends left, take the road on the right to reach the woods, then break off left on a track through the trees. After 300m, break off right on a rough track which leads through the trees towards the monument. Continue straight ahead to the edge of the woods then cross a stile and climb the grassy hillside to the monument. This was built by the Marquess of Lothian to commemorate the British victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The monument is not open but the views from around its base are good enough.

Walk past the trig point and descend south-west towards the trees, then pass through a gate and continue to a track. Take the green waymarked route up left then follow the track as it swings round and descends to meet a road. Turn right then left on to a track leading past the house at Woodside and continue down the access road. At the bottom, cross over and head towards Monteviot House before turning right along the waymarked route, which leads through the woods, back to Harestanes.