Neidpath Railway

An interesting circular walk using the route of the old Peebles to Symington railway. The walk includes the 600m Neidpath Tunnel, the Neidpath Viaduct, the Lyne Viaduct. the Old Manor Brig and Neidpath Castle. The outward portion of the walk is along the track bed of the railway (closed in 1954) with the return route being on tracks and paths.

  • Distance: 11.5 km / 7 miles
  • Ascent: 190 m / 620 feet
  • Terrain: Mix of surfaced and unsurfaced paths (can be muddy in places)
  • Start / finish: Hay Lodge Park car park, Peebles, EH45 8NN.

Route Map

Route map Neidpath walk

Start from Hay Lodge Park on Neidpath Road (there is a public car park across the road) and aim for the footbridge across the Tweed. Once across the river, head up the hill and turn right on to the track bed of the railway before you reach the industrial estate. A short (muddy) walk through the woods brings you to the 600m Neidpath Tunnel. Walking through the tunnel is easy enough but you will benefit from the use of a reasonable torch. On exiting the tunnel you reach the 7 arch Neidpath Viaduct.

Follow the railway line across the viaduct for a pleasant 3 km walk along the north bank of the Tweed. For a short stroll, you could turn right after the viaduct and head back towards Peebles via Neidpath Castle.

After about 3km you reach the settlement at Lyne Station where the railway crosses the Lyne Water via a 3 arch viaduct. After the viaduct you need to leave the railway line and walk along the quiet road to reach a footbridge over the Tweed. This is a good spot for spotting salmon.

Cross the river and follow the path, left, into the woods and alongside the river. There are various signs for the route now from old wooden signposts to yellow arrows. Follow the signage passing Millbraehead and Barns Tower. 300m after Barns Tower a yellow arrow points to a path on your left which takes you back to the riverside. After approx 1.2 km along the river, the path ends at a road bridge. Turn right on to the quiet road and immediately turn left on to a now closed road crossing the Old Manor Brig. Head up hill on the old road to reach a picnic area / car park / viewpoint.

From here turn left into South Park Wood. You can head through the woods directly back to Peebles or re-visit the railway tunnel if you wish.

However, a walk on the north side of the Tweed passing Neidpath Castle is recommended. Keep left on a path when you enter the woods heading downhill towards the river. Before reaching the river though, bear right on a path to follow the river back to the Neidpath Viaduct and the railway line. Cross the viaduct again and turn right to follow a somewhat muddy path along the banks of the Tweed. This is a particularly lovely section of the walk in the Autumn overlooking the colourful trees on the opposite side of the river. After passing the castle the path continues back to Hay Lodge Park.