Dryburgh Abbey, the Tweed and the Wallace Statue
Scottish Borders
Dryburgh Abbey sits in a loop of the River Tweed a few miles from Melrose, a ruined medieval abbey where Sir Walter Scott is buried. Dogs can have some freedom on the wooded riverside stretches, with the Tweed close by for a drink, though sheep and lambs near the statue mean a lead. This circuit of about 8.9km starts from the abbey car park and follows the Tweed downstream on a steep, wooded riverbank, then crosses Mertoun Bridge and returns upstream through St Boswells on the St Cuthbert's Way. The Dryburgh suspension footbridge, built in 1872, carries you back over the river to the Temple of the Muses on Bass Hill. The last leg climbs through fields and lanes to the Wallace Statue, a figure more than seven metres tall set on a plinth above the valley, and drops back to the abbey. There is around 182 metres of climbing on riverside paths, field paths, surfaced tracks and quiet lanes, with several flights of steps.
This dog friendly walk is at its best on the riverside sections, where a dog with good recall can have some freedom in the woods and there are shallow edges of the Tweed for a drink. Keep a lead handy: the fields near the statue can hold sheep and lambs, the golf course and St Boswells need a lead, and walkers report one stile on the circuit that is awkward for dogs. The abbey itself is a paid Historic Environment Scotland site, and St Boswells has shops and cafes midway.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.9 km (5.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 50 min
- Walk Type
- River, Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Shops and cafes in St Boswells, midway round the loop; no facilities at the Wallace Statue.
- Parking
- Dryburgh Abbey car park, Historic Environment Scotland; small car park at the Wallace Statue as an alternative start.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Dryburgh Abbey, the Tweed and the Wallace Statue, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Old Post Office - Hawick
Sleeps 2 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £457 / 7 nights
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 Dryburgh Abbey, the Tweed and the Wallace Statue dog friendly?
This walk scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it a solid choice for dogs who enjoy woodland and riverside paths. The wooded stretches along the Tweed are the highlight for dogs, while the abbey itself is a paid Historic Environment Scotland site, so factor that in if you plan to explore inside.
Can dogs be off lead at Dryburgh Abbey, the Tweed and the Wallace Statue?
Dogs with good recall can enjoy some freedom on the wooded riverside sections, where the shallow edges of the Tweed also make a handy drinking spot. You'll need to put the lead back on near the fields around the Wallace Statue (which can hold sheep and lambs), on the golf course, and through St Boswells — and walkers have flagged one stile on the circuit that can be awkward for dogs.
What should I know before visiting Dryburgh Abbey, the Tweed and the Wallace Statue with my dog?
This is a varied 8.9km circuit with around 182 metres of climbing, taking in riverside paths, field paths, surfaced tracks, quiet lanes, and several flights of steps — so it's worth knowing your dog is comfortable with mixed terrain. St Boswells sits roughly halfway round and has shops and cafes if you need a break, though there are no facilities at the Wallace Statue end of the route. Parking is available at the Dryburgh Abbey car park, or there's a small alternative car park at the Wallace Statue if you'd prefer a different starting point.
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