Stepping out
Sometimes even a few hours in the hills aren’t enough, particularly during the long days of summer. Luckily, the Tweed Valley is home to some long-distance routes that will satisfy even the itchiest of feet!
John Buchan Way
A one-way route that meanders for 22km between Peebles and Broughton, the John Buchan Way is named after one of the area’s most famous sons (and whose family still live locally). Perhaps best known as author of The 39 Steps, Buchan was not just a prolific novelist but also a historian, journalist, politician, soldier and, in his later years, Governor General of Canada. Find out more about this incredibly influential figure at the excellent John Buchan Story Museum on Peebles High Street before walking this delightful and, in places, wild route through the hills and valleys of Tweeddale.
Southern Upland Way
The big one! Take on a few sections or go the whole hog – but you’ll have to be fit. The UK’s first officially recognised coast-to-coast, long-distance route, the Southern Upland Way is an epic, 340km stomp from Portpatrick on the southwest coast to Cockburnspath on the east.
Walking the entire way is a major challenge that typically takes around two weeks to complete, although many break the route up into sections. The SUW descends into the Tweed Valley at Traquair before rising again (section nine) to the summit of Minch Moor and continuing to Melrose, Lauder and Longformacus before the final push to the coast at Cockburnspath. Although of course, you could always head in the other direction if preferred!
Further information
Looking for more inspiration to get out in the hills? We can recommend two excellent blogs written by Tweed Valley locals passionate about the area, its history and its landscapes: Tweed Valley Blogger and Mucky Boots.
More details on both the John Buchan Way and Southern Upland Way can be found at Walk Highlands and the walking pages of Scotland Starts Here.