87. West Linton

start: Eddleston
distance: 45 km
OS map: 72, 73

Pretty much an all-weather route on good tracks and roads, but with a couple of short stretches on busy main road. Good route for a 'winter warmer'...;-)

Starting from Eddleston village head north on the 'old' main road away from the traffic and follow the road when it turns right and leads towards Boreland farm. Take the track as it passes the front of the farmhouse and round to the right.

The farm track heads notheast, gently uphill at first along the side of the hill. Reaching a small col you'll then start to drop towards Portmore Loch where a track leads along the eastern shore. Reaching a minor road after a while, turn right and follow it towards Gladhouse Reservoir.

Some way after the reservoir you'll reach the B6372 at a right-angled bend. Turn left and you're aiming now for Howgate and then left towards Leadburn on a fairly busy stretch of road. After a kilometer turn right on the minor road connecting the A701 - again a busy piece of road for 1.5km before turning left at Ravensneuk Farm.

This is now a long straight road and will take you all the way to West Linton. Pub food can be had at the Gordon Arms - turn right when you get to the main street. The route turns left here, though, to follow the B7059 to where it meets the busy A701.

Again a 1.5km haul along this road will bring you to Noblehouse where a good track - quite steep at first - leads up into the trees. The gradient eases after a while and the views open up; not least because of recent clearcutting...;-(

It's fairly obvious when you reach the col and from here the track is quite effortless for much of the way back - enjoy!

jb, galashiels

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