This long circular walk takes you along part of the Southern Upland Way (SUW), then a couple of miles along the side of a burn, before an 8 km return along a quiet country road.
The SUW section is a generally well maintained path although some short sections will be wet in all but the driest of summers. My thanks to the members of a local walking group who were replacing one of the boardwalk sections on the day I visited – I was their ‘first customer’. When you come to the T-junction of roads, head straight across and pass the sign for the Donald Watson Art Trail
The section along side Black Water follows a path which is often indistinct. Don’t make the mistake that I did of trying to walk between the wall and the burn after crossing Butterhole Bridge – keep the wall between you and the burn. Generally the going through this section is rough but enjoyable.
The return leg is along a country road which does have fairly regular traffic – some element of high-viz clothing might be a good idea.
I have no idea why the text on the council guide is muddled up – I think the second paragraph should probably have been moved to the end.
| When I walked it | 1/6/22 |
| How long it took me | 5:10 |
| How far I walked | 19.6 km |