Time – 2 hours 30 minutes
Distance – 11 km/6.5 miles

A stunning walk along the Lyne valley in hill fort country, then out into wilder terrain, followed by a downhill stretch with fantastic views across to West Linton. The route follows good paths, well waymarked all the way round, with no particularly steep or arduous sections.

Route: Start/finish – Newlands Kirk, on B7059 near Romanno Bridge

Park in the car parking area opposite Newlands Kirk [1], on the B7059 road to Peebles 1.5 km south of the A701 at Romanno Bridge.

To the right of the church grounds, follow a farm track (signposted ‘Peebles via Flemington Burn’) that climbs uphill to Whiteside farmhouse, passing to the right of the house onto a grassy track [2], then across fields. All of this section, indeed, all of the walk, is well waymarked (white arrows on a green background).

The path follows the contour along the side of Whiteside Hill, with wonderful views west of Callands and the hill forts of Henderland and Bordlands, and along the Lyne Valley. Continuing round the hillside, the path takes you into the valley of Flemington Burn below you to your right. A little way into the valley, the path splits. At this point, continue to follow the waymarkers straight ahead up the valley (do not turn right and double back downhill as this will take you down to Flemington farmyard), passing above some wooden huts down by the Burn. The path drops down steadily, emerging on the farm track that continues up the valley. Follow the track, passing a small wood to your left 1 km on from the huts [3], and then dropping down to ford Fingland Burn [4], which flows down from a valley to your left/north. The route eventually takes you up this valley, but not quite yet. Continue uphill, passing through a gate, before reaching a bench beside the track, a tranquil spot for a rest to admire the view back down the valley and across to the forested Cloich Hills.

The path splits by the bench – take the track to the left [5], waymarked ‘Romanno Bridge’, this being a section of the Drove Road that runs from Hawick via Peebles to this point and on through West Linton up to Cauldstane Slap and then Harperrig. Follow the Drove Road for 2 km in between the hills of Hag Law and Drum Maw, fording the Burn and then climbing up to a gate into woods [6]. Passing through the gate takes you into a different world, leaving the hills behind and entering thick wood that emerges onto a tree and gorse lined path with spectacular views to West Linton, Dolphinton and beyond.

The path descends past Romanno Mains farm down to a group of houses. Pass through a gate and continue down the tarmac lane to emerge on the A701 600m north-west of Romanno Bridge [7]. Cross the road, turn left and walk along the pavement back to the B7059 junction, turning left here [8] to walk back along the road to Newlands Kirk