Published: Friday, 29th January, 2010 11:14am
Scottish Borders Hillwalking Club
IT'S not often our club manages two walks on the same day. Perhaps we can blame the recent extreme weather and a very slightly late bus.
A dozen of us, including one very welcome new member, left the car park beside Galashiels Bus Station on January 17 at 10am prompt for the Galashiels Circular. The leader in his wisdom having decided that a walk nearer home would be safer than the one on the syllabus.
Leaving the old town up the Hollybush Road to take a path avoiding the icy patches, we climbed towards the spur of Gala Hill. On our left an abstract picture of Gala in the snow, although not so deep under the trees.
But when we entered the fields above the Roger Quin stone all was sparkling white, especially the Eildons and Abbotsford House in the distance.
Crossing the Tweed by the new road bridge, high above the old Abbots Ford, we turned down river on the Abbey Way path. No games on the sports fields of Netherdale.
Gala Water rushed to join the Tweed near our path, adding more rich brown flood water to an already almost over-flowing River which we soon had to re-cross. This time using the fine old red sandstone ex-railway bridge, colours enhanced in the brilliant sunshine.
Time to climb again, this time up West Hill, passing Easter Langlee School, to have lunch on the fringe of Langlee Woods. Warm after our exertions, still chatting but at the same time enjoying the outlook down Tweed with Bowden Moor leading to our Trimontium friends.
From the top of Wester Hill we enjoyed a brief look at the still wintry landscape of Allan Water. Descending slightly before climbing once more through the nicely converted steading of Easter Langlee Farm.
Following convenient tractor tyre marks, we reached our highest point of the day at Blaikies Hill. To the south, sunshine glinted on the distant Cheviot Hills, while underfoot the snow was even more deep and crisp, testing our stamina.
Within half a mile a handy style led onto the 12th tee of Ladhope Golf Course. All steeply downhill from now on with exciting views over Gala. High and mighty Meigle Hill and, on our left, the outline of Gala Hill, a reminder of the start of our walk.
Warmer down in the valley we soon reached the cars at the end of a pleasant nine mile stroll. Safe in thanks to our experienced back marker.
Meantime, as they say, two intrepid members had continued by bus to Stow for their walk back to Galashiels via Torwoodlee. It started over the old collection bridge, crossing the Haugh, to take the trainless railway below Stagehall.
Soon over the Luggate Water they continued in fine sunshine until level with Ferniehurst Farm. There, turning uphill for half a mile to take an old drove road near the entrance to Bowshank Farm. On their left, the steep slopes of Bow Castle Hill with the ancient ruined broch on its summit.
Marching on, to pass Crosslee Farm closeby the entrance to Bowland House. Then, following the Clovenfords Road uphill for a short distance, encouraged all the time by continuing sunshine, before entering Torwoodlee Estates.
They took lunch on the well-placed log seat just above the sixth tee on Torwoodlee Golf Course. Their field of vision included William Law above Halkburn, with a bevy of wind turbine blades quietly birling away on the horizon.
Continuing through Torwoodlee Estate with glimpses of both the fine house and crumbling tower, before following another disused railway line to re-cross the Gala Water and return to the bus station only ten minutes after the larger group on the Gala Circular having also had a very enjoyable stroll of some eight miles.
The next walk is from St Boswells, with lunch at the Buccleuch Arms Hotel, where it starts on January 31 at 10am. For more information contact Evelyn Horsburgh on: 01750 76214.
H.D.
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