64. Carnwath

start: Carnwath
distance: 26 miles
OS map: 72

Hardly a strenuous expedition, this, but pleasant enough in its own way. There's a large layby just S of the monument at Dolphinton on the main Edinburgh-Biggar road. Our route starts from here.

Head NW towards Garvald but follow the road round to the L just past a quarry. Pass Westfield, skirting along the foot of the hills on your L, and shortly past Walston take a L turn to go down to the main road. Go straight across but, almost immediately, take a R turn to reach the B7016 after a couple of miles. Tinto is the prominent hill to the W.

It's five miles or more to Carnwath. The Wee Bush Inn - Scotland's only thatched pub - does a fair bowl of soup which is more than welcome on a cold December's day.

Leave Carnwath along the main A721 for a couple of miles before turning L onto a quieter road at Newbigging heading for Weston and Dunsyre. Good views across open country.

Turn L at Dunsyre. The road soon turns to a track and there's a ford across a stream at Medwynbank. Turn R to follow a good track through Garvald and then L at the T junction. An old rail track runs parallel to the road here as it heads for what used to be Dolphinton Station.

jb, galashiels

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