Kelso and Roxburgh Circular
Scottish Borders
Kelso stands where the Teviot flows into the Tweed, and across the water from the town are the scant ruins of Roxburgh Castle, once one of the most important royal strongholds in Scotland until the Scots captured and destroyed it, along with the burgh of Roxburgh, in 1460. Dogs get a long stretch of traffic-free path along the old railway line on the way back, with the Teviot alongside for water on the way out. This 12.2km circuit starts from The Knowes car park behind Kelso Abbey, crosses Kelso Bridge and follows the Borders Abbeys Way upstream beside the Teviot for about 3.5km below the castle mound. From the village of Roxburgh it climbs to the Roxburgh Viaduct, crosses its fourteen arches high above the river and follows the old railway line back towards Kelso. There is only about 136 metres of climbing, on riverside paths that are rough in places, a stretch of quiet road and a smooth mixed-use railway path.
This dog friendly walk has plenty of water for a dog on the long riverside section, where the Teviot's edges make good drinking spots. The old railway path is traffic-free and a good place for a dog with reliable recall to stretch its legs, but it is shared with cyclists, so call your dog in when bikes approach. Leads are needed on Kelso Bridge, the A699 pavement and through Roxburgh, and a stile leads onto the road at Roxburgh Mill. The Knowes car park is free, and Kelso has cafes, pubs and toilets.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 12.2 km (7.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr 40 min
- Walk Type
- River, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Cafes, pubs, shops and toilets in Kelso; nothing on the route between Kelso and Roxburgh.
- Parking
- The Knowes car and coach park behind Kelso Abbey, Scottish Borders Council, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Kelso and Roxburgh Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Green Cottage - Swinton
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £839 / 7 nights
Wells Stable Coach House
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £540 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Scottish BordersFrequently Asked Questions
Is Kelso and Roxburgh Circular dog friendly?
Kelso and Roxburgh Circular scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a genuinely rewarding route for dogs. The long riverside section beside the Teviot gives dogs plenty of opportunity to drink and paddle, and the traffic-free old railway path on the return leg offers a good stretch of open running. Kelso itself has cafes, pubs and toilets, making it easy to round off the walk in comfort.
Can dogs be off lead at Kelso and Roxburgh Circular?
The old railway path section is traffic-free and a good place for dogs with reliable recall to run more freely, though it's shared with cyclists so you'll want to call your dog in when bikes are about. Leads are required on Kelso Bridge, along the A699 pavement and through the village of Roxburgh, and there's also a stile onto the road at Roxburgh Mill to be aware of.
What should I know before visiting Kelso and Roxburgh Circular with my dog?
This is a 12.2km circuit with only around 136 metres of climbing, so it's a manageable day out for most dogs. The riverside paths beside the Teviot are rough in places, and the route also includes a stretch of quiet road, so it's worth having sturdy leads to hand. There are no facilities between Kelso and Roxburgh, so stock up on water and snacks before you set off — though the Teviot provides plenty of natural drinking spots along the way.
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