around Galashiels £2.00 Paths Around Galashiels Paths Around Galashiels Contents Route Distance Location Page Route 1 6miles/9.5km Buckholm Circular 8 Route 2 2miles/3.5km Ladhope Recreation Ground 10 Route 3 7miles/11km Gala Hill and Langlee Woodland 12 Route 4 3miles/5km Langlee Woodland 14 Route 5 1miles/1.5km Tweedbank Nature Trail 16 Route 6 1miles/1.6km Gala Policies 20 Route 7 7miles/11km Hollybush Circular 22 Route 8 7miles/11km Peel and Yair 24 Route 9 1miles/2km Glenkinnon Community 26 Woodland Route10 6miles/10km Meigle Circular 28 Route 11 4.5miles/7km Torwoodlee Circular 30 Route 12 16miles/25km Gala Circuit 32 Other various 34 routes How To Get There Galashiels is well served by public transport with regular buses to and from a number of towns in the Scottish Borders. Connections are available to Edinburgh, Carlisle, Berwick upon Tweed and other places. For the motorist, Galashiels is easily reached from either the A7 or A68 via the A6091. Car parking is available in the town. 2 3 Paths Around Galashiels Paths Around Galashiels Galashiels Toilet Facilities Galashiels originated in the Middle Ages The public toilets in Galashiels are situated as a small hamlet. The Borders area was in these areas: High Street; Bank Street and the focus of many of the battles of Anglo- the Bus station. Scottish wars of the 14th-16th centuries. Despite this, Galashiels managed to escape Waymarking and Maps the worst ravages of this period. A notable The routes are waymarked with the exception was in 1544 when the villages of distinctive yellow and dark green ‘Galashiels Buckholm and Galashiels were burned by Paths’ or ‘Clovenfords Paths’ discs. Some English raiders. of the paths follow sections of the Southern Upland Way so the discs may not be used View of Galashiels from Langlee Woodland People may be surprised to discover that here. Galashiels was really only a village until the Introduction late 18th century. The dawn of the Industrial Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50 000, sheet This booklet describes 12 routes in the Galashiels Revolution and the coming of the railway 73 or Explorer 1:25 000, sheet 338 maps transformed Galashiels into a thriving town. should be used in conjunction with this area, most of which have links into the town St Pauls Church centre. The routes are especially suitable for The Gala Water, a tributary of the Tweed, was booklet so that walkers can identify the hills walkers. Other users may not be able to use a source of power and solvent to the factories and other points of interest. all parts of the routes where there are steps or and mills that were erected several hundred stiles. Three of the walks are in the settlements of years later. Scottish Borders Clovenfords and Caddonfoot and two of the longer Festival of Walking walks go through the farms whose hills overlook The railway line from Edinburgh was The Scottish Borders Festival of Walking, Walk it is the Paths to Health Project in the these places. There are a variety of routes ranging completed by the North British Railway a week long celebration of walking and Scottish Borders and aims to encourage from short strolls in woodlands and around lochs (NBR) company in 1849 taking five years the countryside, was the first of its kind in people to take up walking as part of a to long hikes over the moors and hills. Each route to build. Initially it was called the ‘Border Scotland and has been held annually since healthier lifestyle. Our walks are usually has a summary containing distance, time taken Union’, however it was renamed the 1995. It usually takes place in September short and easy, though the routes can and terrain. This information will allow you to ‘Waverley Route’ in honour of Sir Walter and the host town rotates to give a different sometimes involve rough paths and low level choose the most suitable route at a quick glance. Scott, a Borderer and writer. Unfortunately choice of walks each year. Further details gradients. You will find the Walk It logo on Further information is available from Tourist the railway fell victim of the Beeching Review available from www.borderswalking.com. routes 1, 2, 3 and 7. We have chosen these of the rail network and was closed in 1969. Information Centres around the Borders. The fact walks for the length and level gradient. For that Galashiels is built in a valley means that on At the time of writing in 2011 there is work information telephone 01835 825060. many of the routes there are spectacular views of ongoing to design and construct a railway the town from the shoulders and summits of the from Tweedbank to Edinburgh. Golf Courses hills. On clear days the views extend far beyond Route 2, Ladhope Recreation Ground and Route the valley town and the neighbouring villages, 12, Gala Circuit partly or wholly go through for example, to the Moorfoot Hills, sitting north Ladhope and Torwoodlee Golf Courses. In west of the town. accordance with the guidelines laid out in the Access Code please be considerate to the Galashiels has hidden treasures both within and players by allowing them to take shots before around the town. We have produced this booklet crossing fairways, by being quiet and still and to encourage you to explore these areas. We hope keeping dogs on a lead at all times. This route that you enjoy these routes and do not encounter is most suitable for walkers. To avoid damaging any difficulties en route. However, if you do come the playing surface, cyclists and horse riders across a problem whilst on these routes, please need to keep to paths at all times and not go report it to the Scottish Borders Access team on on to any other part of a golf course. 01835 825060. Path Junction of Ladhope Woodland and Ladhope Walkers at Eildons viewpoint on Gala Hill Recreation Ground 4 5 Paths Around Galashiels Paths Around Galashiels General Advice Please leave gates as you find them and ensure Before setting off on longer walks etc., always that if you have to open a gate, you close it check the weather forecast and prepare yourself securely behind you. Thank you for your co- accordingly, but remember that weather operation, which will help to ensure that these conditions can change rapidly. Remember walks are available for those who follow in your footsteps in future years. that hot weather, causing sunburn and/ or Know the Code before you go... dehydration, can be just as debilitating as rain or snow. Always carry adequate cover for your Health Warning! Enjoy Scotland’s outdoors - body in all conditions. responsibly! Germs from animals can cause serious On longer hill walks you should always wear human illness. Enjoy Scotland’s outdoors! Everyone has the or carry good waterproofs, proper walking Stay safe from diseases when out in the right to be on most land and inland water boots, windproof clothing, and take food and Buckholm Hill countryside by: for recreation, education and for going from drink with you. These provisions may not be a. Washing hands with soap & water (or place to place providing they act responsibly. necessary on the shorter, low level walks, but Dogs therefore should not be taken into fields use wet wipes) after visiting the toilet, These access rights and responsibilities are a light waterproof and refreshments are still where there are young livestock. This includes after activities, touching animals and explained in the Scottish Outdoor Access worth taking, just in case. When out on the all young livestock such as lambs, calves and before handling, cooking and eating Code. The key things are: hills, a map and compass should be carried to foals. In more open countryside where lambs food When you’re in the outdoors: aid navigation. are present, keep your dog on a short lead. b. Taking care to avoid spreading animal ● take personal responsibility for your own Disturbance at this time can separate young faeces on footwear actions and act safely; Take great care when walking on country livestock from their mothers leaving them cold, c. Avoiding camping or having a picnic ● respect people’s privacy and peace of mind; roads. hungry and exposed to predators. on land which has recently been used ● help land managers and others to work safely for grazing animals ● and effectively; Pavements or paths should be used if Dogs should not be taken into fields of cattle d. Not drinking untreated water from ● care for your environment and take your litter provided when they have calves, as the cows see a dog rivers, streams and lochs ● home; If there is no pavement or path, walk as a threat and may attack it and you. Go into a e. Avoiding tick bites; cover legs when ● keep your dog under proper control; on the right-hand side of the road so that neighbouring field or onto adjacent land. There walking through long vegetation you can see oncoming traffic. You should is the possibility of encountering lambs and ● take extra care if you’re organising an event take extra care and be prepared to walk calves on routes 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12. During Contact the Public Health Department for or running a business. in single file, especially on narrow roads more information 01896 82 5560 the bird breeding season (April – June) keep When you’re managing the outdoors: or in poor light, keep close to the side of your dog under close control or on a short lead ● respect access rights; the road.