Section 1: Stobo to Peebles

Historic bridges, dramatic hillscapes and an atmospheric castle perched high above the river – welcome to the Tweed Valley Canoe Trail.

Section 1: Need to know

Distance/time: approx. 7 miles/3 hours

River Grading: Level 1

Start point: what3words: listings.arranger.whistling

End point: what3words: scrubber.lion.revision

Facilities: Dawyck Botanic Garden, a five-minute drive from the start of the trail, is a beautiful spot for a pre-trip coffee. Facilities, including public toilets, are also available at Kingsmeadows car park (Peebles).

Public transport: Borders Buses operates services between Peebles and Stobo (91) and from Peebles to Edinburgh and other local towns and villages (X62).

Section snapshot

Just 20 miles or so from its source, the River Tweed flows through the hamlet of Stobo with growing vigour and purpose. If a pause is needed early into the journey, nearby Lyne Station provides a welcome rest spot complete with picnic bench, accessed via a slipway (river left, just after footbridge).

Beneath the imposing gaze of Cademuir Hill, the river continues gently towards Manor Bridge before reaching a disused viaduct, once part of the Peebles to Symington Junction railway line.

Beyond the viaduct’s handsome arches, beauty, history and literature collide as the Tweed bends beneath the thick walls of Neidpath Castle – a rare example of a fortified medieval tower house. Legend has it that Sir Walter Scott used to swim here on his visits to Neidpath, with the shingle beaches and deep pools popular with swimmers to this day.

A little further along, the river reaches the historic town of Peebles via wooded banks, peaceful Hay Lodge Park and a lively cauld (weir). It’s worth stopping beside the pedestrian Cuddy Bridge (river left) to review this sometimes frothy feature. The cauld is best approached via the central channel, steering to the left of the island just beyond. But it is also a feature easily avoided – simply exit at Cuddy Bridge and carry boats downriver for 50m or so and then return to the river.

Either way, paddlers pass beneath Tweed Bridge and emerge opposite Kingsmeadows car park (way marker post, river right), which marks the end of this fascinating stretch of trail. Here there is information signage, canoe anchor points and public toilets.

Image credits: Tweed Forum; Marc Marshall Photography