Cockburn Law and Edin's Hall Broch from Abbey St Bathans
Scottish Borders
This 10.3km circular starts at the Riverside car park in Abbey St Bathans, a hamlet on the Whiteadder Water in the Berwickshire hills. Dogs can cool off in the Whiteadder, though sheep on Cockburn Law mean a lead for the climb. The route follows the riverbank before climbing through fields towards Cockburn Law, a 325 metre hill whose indistinct summit paths and sheep tracks lead to a trig point with wide views over the Borders to the Cheviots and the faint earthworks of an old hillfort. The path then descends to Edin's Hall Broch, a rare lowland example of an Iron Age broch, a stone roundhouse around 28 metres across dating to the second century. The return crosses the Whiteadder Water by a suspension bridge before minor roads and tracks lead back to Abbey St Bathans. Total climbing is around 345 metres, with steep sections that can be slippery when wet.
This dog friendly walk gives some off-lead scope, but sheep are grazed across much of Cockburn Law and the surrounding fields, so a lead is needed for most of the ascent and the farmland sections. The Whiteadder Water offers a good drink and paddle for dogs at several points, particularly near the start and the suspension bridge crossing. Bracken and gorse on the lower slopes in summer make a tick check worthwhile, and the ground underfoot is uneven and occasionally boggy. There are no facilities on the route itself, so bring water; the nearest cafe is outside the village. Parking at the Riverside car park is free.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 10.3 km (6.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Moorland, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- No cafe or toilets on route; Woodlands Cafe at the trout farm outside the village.
- Parking
- Riverside Car Park, Abbey St Bathans, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Cockburn Law and Edin's Hall Broch from Abbey St Bathans, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Green Cottage - Swinton
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £839 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Scottish BordersFrequently Asked Questions
Is Cockburn Law and Edin's Hall Broch from Abbey St Bathans dog friendly?
This circular walk scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it a reasonable choice for dogs who don't mind a lead for stretches. The Whiteadder Water is a highlight for dogs, offering good opportunities to drink and paddle near the start and again at the suspension bridge crossing. That said, sheep grazing on Cockburn Law and the surrounding farmland means this isn't a fully off-lead outing, so it suits dogs who are comfortable switching between lead and free running.
Can dogs be off lead at Cockburn Law and Edin's Hall Broch from Abbey St Bathans?
There is some off-lead scope on this route, but sheep are grazed across much of Cockburn Law and the surrounding fields, so your dog will need to be on the lead for most of the ascent and through farmland sections. The riverbank sections near the Whiteadder Water offer the best opportunities for a little more freedom, where dogs can also cool off with a paddle. If your dog has a reliable recall and you're confident around livestock, you'll find moments to let them roam, but this isn't a walk where they can be off lead throughout.
What should I know before visiting Cockburn Law and Edin's Hall Broch from Abbey St Bathans with my dog?
This is a demanding 10.3km circuit with around 345 metres of climbing, including steep sections that can be slippery when wet, so it's worth considering your dog's fitness before heading out. Bracken and gorse on the lower slopes in summer make a tick check a good idea after the walk. There are no facilities on the route itself, so bring enough water for both of you; the nearest café is the Woodlands Café at the trout farm outside the village. Parking at the Riverside Car Park in Abbey St Bathans is free.
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