A very windy night with some rain battering the tent that woke me up
a couple of times. I decided to make an early start so began packing
shortly after finishing my coffee and leftovers from last night’s
meal. It felt quite cold as I left about 06:50 and lots of mist was
hanging in the Tweed valley below. It was light enough but I had my
front and rear lights on. At Ashiestiel Bridge I turned right on to
the main A707 but being early and Scotland there was no traffic
about.
Refurbished old Tweed Bridge
Before the next bridge I turned left on to the minor B7060 and
climbed steadily and got a nice view of the valley and the rising
sun ahead. I descended to the old Tweed Bridge which has been
extensively refurbished. I was here one year ago and it was
barriered off both sides with contractors working on it.
Tweedbank Rail Station
Now it looks like a new bridge but has barrier posts to stop
vehicles passing over, just bikes and pedestrians. I joined the
cycle track here to follow the line of the old railway route. The
cycle track only followed the rail route in places and was up and
down quite a lot. I reached the road and joined the A609. The last
time I was here I turned right and followed the cycle track to
Tweedbank Railway Station.
Bike on the train
Lasswade
On the way to Edinburgh
This time I turned left to follow the track by Gala Water then
crossed a footbridge to re-join the road and reach the Interchange
(bus station) and Railway Station across the road. I wheeled my bike
up the ramp to the platform where a train would soon be due back
towards Tweedbank. They are every 30mins. My way was to Edinburgh
but I knew that today (Sat) it was only running to Gorebridge then a
bus onwards due to maintenance works.
Sculpture at Loanhead
The train arrived and I asked the inspector if I was standing on the
right part of the platform to get on when he returned. He said the
train was almost empty so I may as well get on now, ride to
Tweedbank and then then return to Gorebridge, which I did. It was a
pleasant ride in the sunshine and at Gorebridge I was asked if I
wanted to put my bike on the bus.
Bridge abutment artwork
I declined and decided to enjoy the nice weather and ride the
15miles into Edinburgh. I rode through Gorebridge, Lasswade and
Loadhead to join the cycle track along the railway route. Where it
crossed under the A720 Edinburgh by-pass a young man was spray
painting on the abutments.
Artist
He was with his girlfriend. I took a few photos and continued. I
followed the cycle route through Craigmiller Castle Park on to pick
up the Innocent Railway & cycle route through the tunnel. I spent a
bit of time in the tunnel taking photographs then continued around
Holyrood Park to the Parliament building.
Approaching Edinburgh
Innocent Railway tunnel
Cannongate Kirk
Outside Cannongate Kirk
On the way up The Royal Mile I had a look in Canongate Kirk as it’s
the first time I’ve seen it open. I continued up and right down
Cockburn Street to Edinburgh Waverley Rail Station where I waited
for the 14:52 train to Preston. At Preston I cycled home along the
old tram track, the way I’d used on Thursday.
Return to
Whittle Wanderer
