Introducing Walkerburn
Bordered by river and forest, the picturesque village of Walkerburn is packed with riches old and new.
The village of Walkerburn
Walkerburn owes much to the textile industry that once thrived here. Purpose-built in 1854 for local mill workers, the village’s tiered housing took advantage of the sunny aspect and also reflected the social elevation of its occupants, with wealthier villagers residing higher up the hillside.
As with nearby Innerleithen – and most other towns and villages in the Tweed Valley – Walkerburn is inextricably connected to water. Its very name derives from the ‘Walker Burn’, a lively waterway that flows into the village from the slopes above Priesthope to the north; to the south, the settlement is bordered by a beautiful stretch of the River Tweed.
When the Walkerburn mills were originally built, a lade running from a nearby crook in the Tweed produced enough power to keep the great wheels turning. But as production expanded and more cost effective energy was needed, something quite remarkable came to pass. In 1920-21, Messrs Boving & Co. of London built a revolutionary system that pumped water from the River Tweed up to a reservoir on Kirnie Law, high above the village. The water was brought back down again with force, driving a Pelton turbine which in turn produced electricity for local industry.
When production in the mills declined, however, the hydro-electric power system fell out of use and work began to dismantle it in the late 1940s. Fortunately, remnants of the old reservoir – plus the funicular railway built to transport the materials used in its construction – can still be explored today. Take a walk or cycle up Priesthope and on to Kirnie Law to admire the graffitied relic of the village’s industrial heritage – enjoying some magnificent views along the way.
Kirnie Law Reservoir
Back down at river level, the Tweed sinks into a widening valley floor on the approach to Walkerburn. The landscape around is particularly impressive, with the peak of Pirn Craig to the north (known locally as ‘Rocky’) and Plora Wood, one of the few semi-natural oak woodlands in the Scottish Borders, to the south.
There are several ways to explore the river and local environs – not least by taking to the water itself. The Tweed Valley Canoe Trail runs along the fringes of the village, connecting Innerleithen with Glenkinnon and Abbotsford further downriver. The Upper Tweed beats are popular fishing spots too, with Walkerburn marking the start of the river’s more serious fishing territory.
Fishing at Tweed Bridge
On drier land, the village is also a well-trodden destination on the Tweed Valley Railway Path – a multi-use pathway connecting Innerleithen, Cardrona and Peebles to the west. (From Peebles, the Eddleston Water Path then connects to the charming conservation village of Eddleston.) A cycle, walk, scoot or horse ride along the railway path is an excellent way to experience the valley’s natural riches. Depending on season, look out for otters, ospreys and other local wildlife along the way!
For the more adventurous, there are hilly climbs aplenty at Bier Law, and access to longer hikes that take in a section of the Southern Upland Way from just south of the river. Cyclists are also spoilt for choice around Walkerburn. Hand-cut trails at nearby Caberston Forest (the ‘Golfie’) and Glenbenna provide a serious challenge for even the most experienced mountain bikers – and the purpose-built pumptrack in the heart of the village is a favourite hang-out for thrill seekers and little pedallers alike.
And when it’s time to pause and refuel, the Caberston Farm Coffee Shop, just a few minute’s walk from the river’s edge, is the perfect sanctuary. Hearty breakfasts, wholesome lunches and fresh coffee and baked treats are on the menu from 10-4pm daily. No trip to Walkerburn is complete without a visit to see Lisa and her coffee shop team.
The fabulous Caberston Farm Coffee Shop
Images: Ian Linton Photography; Tweed Valley Blogger; Caberston Farm Coffee Shop