Walks around Chirnside

There is a network of walks surrounding Chirnside incorporating tracks and rights of way.

map of chirnside including walks

These include the David Hume Walk – Ninewells to Chirnside Bridge which starts at the David Hume Information Board on the Duns Road to the south of the village. The walk takes you past Ninewells North Lodge, down through the woods, before emerging at the River Whiteadder. The path follows the course of the river along the water’s edge and then through a wooded area until you reach the Notice Board at the Chirnside Bridge. The footpath is about 2 miles long and you can return to the village by turning right and walking along the Duns to Chirnside Road.

A second longer section of the David Hume Walk – Chirnside Bridge to Auchencrow can be picked up by crossing the road at the Bridge and turning towards Chirnside. A little way up on the left is a marker indicating the footpath to Auchencrow. This path is approximately 4 miles long and follows a route past Chirnside Station  through Mill Farm and along the disused railway line. It is a pleasant walk over open countryside with the Craw Inn as a possible destination.

The David Hume Walk is one of the  Borders Brains Walks  A more comprehensive description and information about this and the other walks can be download here 

To the south of the village, the Bluestone Ford makes a pleasant destination for a walk down to the River Whiteadder. The river can be crossed by the Victoria Footbridge, a few yards downstream from the ford. Immediately before the bridge, a fisherman’s path runs along the bank for a while, and if you follow it, you will eventually catch a glimpse of Hutton Castle, once the home of Sir William Burrell.

The Loanings, a network of paths and tracks on the north side of the village, offer long or short walks, with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Although the area is intensively farmed, it is surprisingly rich in wildlife, due to small plantations of trees and abundant hedgerows.

new path map

A pleasant circular traffic free walk can be had by starting at the East End Picnic area and car park.

Follow the Loanings paths in an anti clock wise direction emerging at Market Road at the west end of the village. Then wend your way through the village paths to the Kirk, take a newly created path behind the school to the east end of the Millennium Wood on up the field path up the the “Lang Hill” to your starting point.

These walks and more are included in the Walks around Chirnisde and Paxton booklet download here 

Further afield, there  are coastal walks at Coldingham, St Abbs and Eyemouth. The Southern Upland Way crosses Berwickshire from Lauder to Abbey St. Bathan’s reaching the coast at Cockburnspath. These routes are well signposted. Leaflets describing the walks are available from Tourist Information Centres or can be downloaded from the Scottish Borders Council Walks and Trails web page for more information click here.

For those who prefer cycling there is a wealth of information about day rides based on Eyemouth and Duns which pass close to Chirnside. For more information click here to visit our cycling page

There are cycle stands at Crosshill for the village centre and at the East End Car Park and Picnic site

Borders Greenway

A new a new long‑distance multi‑use pathway between Tweedbank and Eyemouth is under investigation by the Scottish Borders Council (65kms/40miles). This path, called the Borders Greenway, will provide options for active travel and leisure use for local communities and visitors.

More information can be found here . It’s published on the Gavinton website, where the menu now opens at the story map, with emphasis on the short term 1‑3 years programme. It includes the existing walk and cycle routes..

(information correct on 4th November 2022)

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