Ever fancy a 12 mile walk but can’t be bothered to actually do it??
Don’t worry …you can join me on this one from the comfort of your own sofa.
Ever fancied a scenic 12-mile trek through the Scottish Borders but couldn’t quite summon the energy? Don’t worry — you can now enjoy the journey from the comfort of your sofa.
In this immersive video walk, I leave behind Galashiels and head east, taking in river paths, Roman forts, ancient legends and one absolutely breathtaking summit: Black Hill, near Earlston.
🎥 Watch the full film here:
Galashiels to Black Hill – YouTube
☀️ Starting Off by the River Tweed
It begins with breakfast on the riverbank — herons gliding by, sunlight dancing off the water, and a curious piece of carved stone that just might be a fragment of the old medieval drawbridge I’ve hunted for years. The soul drawbridge between Galashiels and Abbotsford may be long gone… but some secrets still lie beneath the surface.
👻 Into Haunted Territory: Elwyn Glen & The Fairy’s Bowling Green
Soon I reach the confluence of the Tweed and Elwyn Water — the entrance to Elwyn Glen, said to be the most haunted place in the Borders. Above it, perched high, is The Fairy’s Bowling Green, a mystical hilltop linked to ancient folklore.
Legend says magical fairy stones were hurled down into the glen from above. A volcanic explanation? Or something older, stranger, and more enchanted?
🏰 Newstead & The Roman Fort of Trimontium
As I pass Melrose and walk into Newstead, I arrive at the site of Trimontium, the largest Roman fort in Scotland. It’s an extraordinary landscape — with remnants of a Roman amphitheatre, crossing points on Dere Street, and whispers of a long-forgotten Abbey that pre-dated Melrose itself.
Newstead is more than a quiet village — it’s a 2,000-year-old jigsaw of history waiting to be explored.
🌳 Into the Ancient Forest
Leaving the rivers behind, I enter deep woodlands between Newstead and Earlston. The Scots pines give way to yew and oak, and the air shifts. You feel like you’re walking back in time.
It’s not the Highlands — no towering Munros or jagged cliffs — but this is accessible wilderness, where every trail feels like a secret.
🥾 Reaching Black Hill
At last, I arrive in Earlston, fuel up with lunch, then set off for Black Hill — my final destination. From the road, it looks unassuming. But once you climb it? It rewards you with panoramic views over the Borders — Melrose, the Eildons, the Tweed Valley… everything laid out like a painting.
It’s believed there was an Iron Age hillfort here — and when you’re standing on the summit, it’s easy to see why. Strategic. Serene. Sacred, perhaps.
📌 Why This Walk Matters
You don’t need to travel far to experience wild beauty. You don’t need to climb Ben Nevis or camp in Glencoe. This 12-mile walk from Galashiels to Black Hill offers:
🌄 Quiet, uncrowded landscapes
🏛️ Layers of history — Roman, medieval, and mythical
🚶♂️ A proper workout, with plenty of stopping points
🐦 Wildlife and local legends along the way
🎒 And a reminder that adventure is often right outside your door
👣 Final Thoughts
So if you’re craving fresh air, historical intrigue, and a good leg-stretch — this is the walk for you. Or just press play, sit back, and let me do the miles for you.
Until next time — keep exploring, keep wondering, and always look for the stories beneath your feet.
