Basic route information

Basic Route Notes OS Maps – Landranger 73
From our start point at the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, you will walk a short distance along the banks of the famous River Tweed before starting a gentle climb followed swiftly by your first challenging hill. After this point, you descend to the first checkpoint where you can arrange to meet your support crew for a quick spot of re-fuelling.

A gentle climb along the edge of forest takes you to your next summit before turning south to descend the beautiful ridge taking you to the historic weaving town of Walkerburn and checkpoint two.

Head south along the south banks of the River Tweed (it is believed there was a small hamlet here, called Linkumdoddie, as immortalised in the famous song by Robert Burns during his travels in the Borders). Along the riverbank, you will pass below the ruins of the 16th Century Fortified Manor, Elibank Castle. Elibank was the home of the legendary Muckle Mou'ed Meg (or Muckle-mouthed Meg) who can claim among her many descendants the world famous Sir Walter Scott. This is a long but easy section taking you to checkpoint three, the breakfast checkpoint.

Take a steady climb through the wooded hills to the enchanting summit of the Three Brethren, dominated by three, 10-foot high cairns. Great views here at checkpoint four if the weather is good!

From Three Brethren you will join Scotland’s longest footpath, the Southern Upland Way, which stretches coast to coast. Heading West across the old drove road of Minch Moor you will be following the footsteps of many famous folk: Edward I marched this route on his way to conquer Scotland!) William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and the Marquis of Montrose were here as they fled the Battle of Philiphaugh. En route, you will pass the famous Cheese Well where you might come across some crumbs of food! It's said that travellers should leave an offering to the fairies to be sure of a safe onward journey. You will drop down from the Minch Moor into the small village of Traquair and checkpoint five.

Traquair House is Scotland's oldest inhabited house, dating back to 1107. Originally, the hunting lodge of Scotland’s Kings and Queens and later a refuge for Catholic priests in times of terror.
It is said that the Jacobite, Fifth Earl of Traquair, shut the gates to Traquair House one late autumn day in 1745 after waving his distinguished guest, the Bonnie Prince Charlie, good-bye saying the gates would remain locked until a Stuart King was restored to the Throne (and they are still locked!).

“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” Helen Keller