SCOTTISH Borders Hill Walking Club must be doing something right! After several days of dull, dank mornings we get sunshine and warmth for our club walk which certainly puts a spring in the step.

Nine of us set out from the car park at Bowhill in full of expectation of a good day on the hill on Sunday, November 30.

The first part of the walk was within the forested area of the estate but, as we approached the stone seat, carved with the letters BQ - which stand for the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensbury, owner of the estate - the view opened up to the south. There has been some forestry work taking place and the result is a view over the Ettrick Valley which has not been seen from this point for many a year and it was enhanced by the bright sunlight. We carried on along the Duchess’s drive, eventually leaving the forest behind, and started our ascent of Tower Hill, skirting Fauldshope Hill and Black Knowe Head on the way. Witchie Knowe was in sight and the views all round were very good, but the best was yet to come. We descended to the road Witchie Knowe with a short pause for those that haven’t seen the engraving made to celebrate the 21st birthday of the Duke of Buccleuch.

Crossing the road and cattle grid we climbed towards the summit of Rough Knowe via Reedy Law, both aptly named, and were rewarded with the view of the day over both Yarrow Feus and Yarrow on one side and Ettrick bridge on the other. This was also the highest point of the day.

The descent in the general direction of Hawkshaw Cottage was very wet and muddy underfoot but we finally reached the road and crossed into a field where we had lunch in the lee of a dyke. After lunch the going became much easier and we made good time across the fields, crossing the Kirkhope Burn before reaching the cemetery at Ettrickbridge.

The track was now firm and we kept to it down through Brockhill Wood but we left the Buccleuch County Ride for the woodland path that followed the river to Fauldshope Lodge and East Fauldshope. At Shielshaugh we once more entered the forested area of the estate and, as we wandered back towards the cars, we could look at the wonderful diversity of trees in that section of the estate.

The gentlemen of the “B” team had a leisurely walk, following our route out on The Duchess’s Drive but they turned off before Witchie Knowe and contoured back in to the estate. Both parties would agree that we had a very good day out and we were able to make the most of the weather.

The next club walk will be on Sunday, December 14, and is Cavers Circular. Meet at Market Street, Hawick, at 10am. For further information please contact Evelyn Horsburgh on 01759 76214.