Minchmoor - Peak heather

Minchmoor Road is one of the oldest paths in Scotland, likely in use before Romans times. According to the Heritage Paths website, it was the main east to west route through the Borders from Peebles to Selkirk into medieval times and was used later than that as a drove road among other things. While all descriptions have it climbing out of Traquhair to ascend over the shoulder of Minch Moor hill, it seems there are multiple variants for the route after that. The current OS map shows it descending to the Yarrow Valley after Hare Hill but it is also described as continuing towards the Three Brethren at the eastern end of the ridge of hills before dropping to Selkirk. Either way, it has become one of my favourite places to be. It's such a wonderful walk. A stiff pull up from Traquhair puts you on top of the hills and thereafter you can wander easily as the path gently undulates east, taking in a panorama of Borders scenery.

I chose Minchmoor for this trip in the middle of August to catch the heather at its blooming best and wasn't disappointed. As we climbed up from Traquhair, the woods were hot and sticky so we were glad to reach the Cheese Well and top up our water bottles. It's such a dependable natural spring, even after an exceptionally dry year. 

Beyond the Cheese Well and onwards to Brown Knowe, the woods thinned and rampant heather took over. I have never seen it looking so beautiful. The hills all around were awash with purple. It was that bright, almost garish purple that you sometimes see in tweed clothing. But the hills wore it elegantly and looked spectacular. 

Late in the day, we pitched the tents a little way below the Three Brethren. It was a spot I'd used before, on the edge of the woods, with an open view over the hills. On this occasion, the tents were nestled down amongst the beautiful heather. 

Next day, we made the steep descent to Yair through lush, summer woods. Around the farm buildings at Yair, swallows chattered in the air and hung around on the overhead wires like a series of musical notes. Instead of staying with the Southern Upland Way path over the hills to Galashiels, we took the path beside the River Tweed to the Old Tweed Bridge. This was a pleasant, riverside walk and a nice contrast with being on the high hills. A brightly, painted fishing hut along here provided a pretty spot to sit for lunch. 

At the bridge, we joined the excellent cycle path that connects Selkirk and Galashiels, using it as far as Netherbarns where we were able to join a rural path over to Galashiels to end our trip. It provided another nice contrast as it cut across the fields and descended into town on an old lane lined by ancient trees.

Fact File

Start: Innerleithen

Finish: Galashiels

Public transport: Borders railway to Galashiels then Borders Buses X62 from the bus interchange beside the station to Innerleithen.

My route: Walked south out of Innerleithen on the pavement along the B709. Immediately after the bridge over the Tweed, a new path leaves to the right and takes you to Traquhair through the woods so the road can be avoided. The route up Minchmoor follows the Southern Upland Way signs from Traquhair to Yair. At Yair we took the B7060 to the right on the far side of the bridge. Where it makes a sharp left turn, the riverside track/path starts and can be followed to Old Tweed Bridge. At the bridge, we joined the cycle route north and at Netherbarns the Southern Upland Way path crosses it. Took the SUW path up to the left and followed it across the fields into Galashiels.

Info: More detail on Minchmoor can be found on the Heritage Paths website.