Broadmeadows to Philiphaugh to Newark. Following the route onto the side of Foulshiels Hill. Descending to Philiphaugh Estate returning via Newark Castle.
Following a fantastic day’s walking yesterday from Broadmeadows to Minch Moor we were again presented with a great weather forecast for todays walk from Broadmeadows to Philiphaugh to Newark.
As we left Broadmeadows House, although it was a little chilly the sun was shining and clear blue skies were above.
Lynne and I were glad that we’d booked up a long weekend stay here as soon as the lockdown restrictions allowing a self catering holiday had been lifted.
All of the other accommodation at the House was full too.
Hardly surprising considering the desperation of everyone to get some kind of holiday break this year. Holidays abroad being particularly challenging due to the constantly changing quarantine rules……
Broadmeadows to Philiphaugh to Newark
The walk starts exactly where it started yesterday.
At the signpost near the bottom of the drive way to Broadmeadows House pointing to Peel and Yair.
Overall the route we covered today was about 12 miles.
We were slightly later starting today. Leaving at just after 10.30pm.
Although in miles the route wasn’t as long as yesterday, it certainly felt longer.
Maybe that was because we were both so looking forward to our dinner reservations at a local hotel!
Although today’s route from Broadmeadows to Philiphaugh to Newark started where it did yesterday it only went as far as to the end of the rush grass field.
At the end of the rush grass field instead of turning left there was a short swing right down the vehicle track.
Then instead of following the vehicle track downhill we took a left turn uphill.
The track continued to climb uphill following the side of Foulshiels Hill.
Turning round and looking back down, Broadmeadows House is hidden in the trees.
Although the village of Yarrowford and it’s red roofed village hall can clearly be seen.
We continued walking up the steep farm track.
This part of the walk was very sheltered and we were soon pretty hot.
Therefore it wasn’t long before our fleece’s and warm jackets had been taken off as we actually broke out into a sweat!
The track eventually stopped climbing and flattened out.
We walked ahead and in the distance we could see The Three Brethren.
We’d previously walked to The Three Brethren on our first Broadmeadows House Weekend.
That weekend we had completed most of the Yarrowford Circular via Minch Moore, Brown Knowe and The Three Brethren and Broadmeadows walk.
The Three Brethren are three cairns marking the boundaries of the estates of Buccleuch, Yair and Selkirk Burgh.
Next the track we were following dropped slightly.
We took a right turn before the track began to go uphill along new path.
Peat Law hill and a reservoir that we would pass by later were on our right in the distance .
After another short treck we came to a style which we climbed over.
We then continued walking towards the offical path that leads up towards The Three Brethren from the car park at Philiphaugh.
The Three Brethren are still visible in the distance in the photograph above.
Eventually we met the path going down to the car park.
The path was well defined and we met quite a few other people walking their way up to The Three Brethren.
There were just over 2 miles to walk down this path which follows the Long Philip Burn on our right and Peat Law Hill on our left.
The photograph above is looking back up the path with one of the cairns of The Three Brethren visible in the distance.
The path goes through several plantations and joins a rough road known as Corbie Linn.
If you’ve read the first of our Broadmeadows House posts you might recognise this part of todays walk Broadmeadows to Philiphaugh to Newark route as being the same.
We came down from The Three Brethven this way on that previous visit. After I had misread the directions!
After we got through the small car park at Philiphaugh we continued on the now tarmac road until we met the A708 main road.
We turned right and carefully began to follow the verge on the opposite side of the road looking for a way into the football ground.
After doubling back to check with a local resident he confirmed there was a small entrance which would get us through the football ground and past the cricket pavilion.
It didn’t feel like there would be a way through but there was and we eventually met the Ettrickhaugh Road.
Crossing the road and a footbridge over a mill lade we got to the sign post pointing us along the walk and cycle path.
We walked eastwards on this, the Ettrick path.
The path follows the mill lade.
There’s a salmon viewing centre at The Waterwheel restaurant and Saw Mill that you can visit too if you want.
We bypassed these thinking only of our dinner!
There saw an interesting Hydro Electric scheme and fish ladder when we continued along the path and walked directly beside the Ettrick Water.
The hydro scheme, when there’s enough water to run it fully, can generate enough power for about 220 homes.
The weir or “cauld” as it is known in the Scots language, was originally built here in 1856 to divert water along the mill lade to the Sawmill and also a Threshing mill.
After we came to the meeting of the Yarrow Water with the Ettrick the path took us directly back onto the side of the A708 main road.
We carefully made our way along the verge of the A708 until we reached General’s Bridge and the entrance to Bowhill.
After crossing the bridge into the estate and looking down at the Yarrow Water from General’s Bridge we took the right road signposted for Bowhill.
Bowhill is today the home to the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch.
It’s possible to visit inside Bowhill House and we’ve still to do that.
Today though we were more concerned with getting back to Broadmeadows House to be sure of meeting the time for our dinner reservation.
So we carried on following the tarmac roads of the estate and after about a mile we passed by Newark Castle.
About another mile after the castle the road loops round to another bridge over the Yarrow Water.
North Lodge is behind the camera and East Lodge is on the opposite side of bridge with the driveway to Broadmeadows House to the right of it.
We reached here just after 3pm which was fine as that would easily give us both a couple of hours to get ready to go out for a well deserved dinner.
We had both been paranoid that the walk had been taking longer than planned.
The last section from General’s Bridge to North Lodge we practically marched along!
Now, as we had more time we were able to stop a while and enjoy the view of the Yarrow Water from bridge after North Lodge.
Then, having gathered our breath we headed back up the driveway of Broadmeadows House for a good hot shower and to briefly rest our aching feet!
That Sunday evening we had both had excellent meals at The Gordon Arms Hotel.
I enjoyed a plate of lamb chops and Lynne, a huge plate of macaroni and cheese.
What a great way to finish off another fantastic break at Broadmore House with still tons more walking to do in the future!
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