East Linton – The River Tyne and Hailes Castle
About 3 miles on foot.
The River Tyne runs through East Linton and on past Hailes Castle, a ruin on a grassy bank above the water.
This is a flat loop of three miles between the two: out along the riverbank through woods and farmland, over a footbridge to the castle, and back by a quiet country road.
- Time
- An hour and a half or so: 3 miles.
- The path
- A flat walk for walkers only: a riverside path, one short steep flight of steps, then a small country road.
- Where to start
- Start in the middle of East Linton, by the Crown Hotel: the village has a railway station, and the X7, 120 and 253 buses stop there. The loop can also be joined at the small car park by Hailes Castle.
- When to go
- All year, though the riverside is at its wettest from October to March. From November the light goes by late afternoon.
- Children
- A footbridge over the river and a castle with a timber stair. The way back is on a country road.
- Toilets
- None at the castle; the nearest are in East Linton.
The walk
The walk starts in the middle of East Linton, by the Crown Hotel. The village has a station on the main line from Edinburgh, and buses stop there too. It's a flat round of three miles. The first half keeps to the bank of the River Tyne, on a path through woods and farmland, as far as the cottage at Hailes Mill, where a footbridge crosses the water.
Hailes Castle is a short way beyond, up one steep flight of steps to the road. The ruin stands on a grassy bank above the river, its walls of red and grey stone still high, with a timber stair up into the tower. Historic Environment Scotland keeps it. The way back is by the small road on the south side of the river.
The riverside is muddy after rain, so wear boots. The path is for walkers only. The loop can also be joined at the castle, which has a small car park.
If it rains
The riverbank turns to mud after rain. On a wet day go to the castle by the road and come back the same way.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Blue Cabin by the Sea in Cockburnspath, 13 miles away. Sleeps 4.
For further reading, before you go.