Peebles – The Tweed, Neidpath Castle and the Manor Sware
About 4 miles on foot.
Upstream of Peebles the Tweed runs through a wooded valley under Neidpath Castle, and a hill road called the Manor Sware climbs out of the valley above it.
The Sware Circuit takes in both. It goes out along the river past the castle and an old railway viaduct, then up to viewpoints over the valley and the town. It's about four miles, with one steep climb.
- Time
- About two hours: about four miles.
- The path
- Riverside and old railway paths, a flight of steps up to the road, minor roads and a steep climb on the Manor Sware.
- Where to start
- Kingsmeadows car park, at the south end of the Tweed Bridge in Peebles: free.
- When to go
- All year. From October the riverside is deep in wet leaves, and from November the light goes by late afternoon.
- Dogs
- Under close control near livestock: cattle may have calves with them in autumn. Not into fields with lambs or calves.
- Children
- Four miles with a steep hill, open riverbank and stretches of minor road.
- Toilets
- A public toilet in Kingsmeadows car park.
- Before you set out
- Neidpath Castle is seen from the path only.
The walk
Start at the Tweed Bridge in Peebles and take the riverside path upstream through Hay Lodge Park. Beyond the park the bank turns rocky under tall Scots pines, and Neidpath Castle comes into view on its bluff above a bend in the river. The castle is a tower house of the 14th century, remodelled in the 17th and still in private hands, so it's one to admire from the path below.
Past it the path climbs higher above the water, where otters and goosanders are sometimes seen, and joins an old railway line beside its viaduct of 1864, seven arches set at a skew across the Tweed. Manor Bridge and the Old Manor Brig of 1702 come soon after. Then it's a steep pull up the Manor Sware to the viewpoints, one with picnic tables, looking back along the Tweed and down over Peebles.
The way back into the town is downhill, on quiet roads and a narrow path. It's about four miles in all, and worth strong shoes.
If it rains
After rain the riverside path is muddy and the steep road on the Sware can be slippery. On a wet day the level paths of Hay Lodge Park make a shorter walk by the river.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
For further reading, before you go.