📌 Lammermuir Hills, Scottish Borders
★★
This circuit follows the beautiful north bank of the Whiteadder Water upstream from the peaceful hamlet of Abbey St Bathans. There are fine views of farmland and fertile hillsides from higher track stretches, while elsewhere the path runs right along the riverbank. 19th century Ellemford Bridge marks the extremity of the route, after which forest tracks return to the start, this time on the south side of the valley.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Whiteadder Water at the start 
Rhododenrons 
Shannabank Wood 
Footbridge at Abbey St Bathans 
Whiteadder Water 
Abbey St Bathans Church 
Whiteadder Water from the road bridge, Abbey St Bathans 
Descent to Barnside 
Whiteadder Water beyond Barnside 
Track below Scrogie Wood 
Whiteadder Water at Hairy Craigs 
Orange-tip butterfly 
Ford at Greenhope 
Road at Greenhope Wiel 
Red admiral butterfly 
Ellemford 
Road to Ellemford Bridge 
Whiteadder Water from Ellemford Bridge 
Return track 
Whiteadder Water below Mountjoy Wood
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Abbey St Bathans
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 763619
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.849909,-2.380455
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 11 km / 7 mi | ▲ 190 m | ⌛ 3-3.5 hr
Features: 💧 Whiteadder Water
⬤ Easy | Tracks, paths & minor roads, some ascent / descent.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – cross Whiteadder Water – Abbey St Bathans Church via north bank – re-cross river on road bridge – Ellemford Bridge via north bank – return via south bank & Southern Upland Way
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Sheep & lambs, horses, chickens. Buzzards, mallard ducks, dippers, pheasants. Red admiral & orange-tip butterflies.
Weather: Sunny, gradually becoming cloudier. Temperature in low teens, moderate wind.
May 2023
