Very windy overnight and glad I used longer pegs when putting tent
up last night. An advantage of the wind is that I was able to pack a
dry tent away. I set off along the cycle path with a tailwind and
was soon at the Selkirk sports fields and a rubbish bin where I
could unload all my rubbish. I crossed the bridge over Ettrick Water
and then the climb into Selkirk. I called at the Co-op Shop on High
Street to get some food for the journey home then continued by
descending to Bridgelands Road and out into the countryside. By the
lane was a metal fence protecting a tree and a sign saying 'French
prisoners Bush 1811 - 1814'
French Prisoner's Bush 1811-1814
It denotes the boundary where French prisoners from the Napoleonic
Wars were allowed to walk to. Further on the lane turned left at the
site of the old Lindean Church which has been a low ruin for many
centuries. I reached the busy A7 but thankfully there was a cycle
path. At Lindean Smithy I turned off to follow the lane to Old Tweed
Bridge but a sign said it was closed.
Bridge repairs causing diversion
I tried to get through but there were too many fences across the
road. I returned to the cycle track along the A7 and on to the new
bridge and on to the cycle track under it. In the river I could see
the remains of the piers for the old railway that used to run to
Selkirk. The cycle track reached Boleside Road then on to Winston
Road to the bridge over the new Borders Railway.
All that's left of the old Railway bridge
Tweedbank Railway Station
The railway was opened a year ago and links Tweedbank Station with
Edinburgh. The old line was closed in the late 1960s. I left the
road and followed the excellent cycle path that runs parallel to the
single track railway line. Shortly after crossing the River Tweed at
the Redbridge Viaduct the path split and the one staying with the
railway was reduced to a gravely surfacing while the tarmac one
headed up to Tweedbank Drive.
National Gallery in Edinburgh
I stayed with the railway and soon reached the station platform. I
arrived at 09:20am and the next train was due to leave at 09:31.
There were a lot people waiting and I as I set off to wheel my bike
along the platform I saw the train approaching. Another cyclist was
there and he was also heading for Edinburgh.
Tickets needed for the me and bike, Edinburgh to Preston
Return to
Whittle Wanderer
