Neidpath Castle and the River Tweed from Peebles
Scottish Borders
Peebles sits on the River Tweed, and this short circuit is one of the best known walks from the town. Dogs can paddle in the shallows for much of the way and range free in the woods below the castle, away from the busier park at the start. From the Swimming Pool car park it heads west along the north bank through Hay Lodge Park, then follows the river as the valley narrows into woodland beneath Neidpath Castle, a tall tower house that dates from the fourteenth century and was remodelled in the seventeenth, perched on a rock high above the water. Just beyond, the route crosses the Tweed on the Neidpath Viaduct, a skewed stone railway bridge from the 1860s, and returns along the south bank to the Tweed Bridge in town. The loop is about 4.7km with very little climbing, on riverside paths and park paths that can be muddy under the trees.
This is an easy, dog friendly walk straight from town. Away from the park and town streets there is moderate off-lead potential on the woodland paths, and livestock is rarely met on the main loop. The Tweed is alongside nearly all the way for a drink, but it is a big river with a strong current and anglers along the banks, so choose calm, shallow edges for a paddle and keep your dog clear of lines. Hay Lodge Park is busy with families, so a lead makes sense there. Peebles has cafes, pubs and toilets a few minutes from the car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.7 km (2.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- River, Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Toilets, cafes and pubs in Peebles town centre, a few minutes from the start.
- Parking
- Swimming Pool car park, Port Brae, Scottish Borders Council; Kingsmeadows car park by the Tweed Bridge is an alternative.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Neidpath Castle and the River Tweed from Peebles, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Byre At Brothershiels
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £673 / 7 nights
Greenbank Farm Cottage
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £572 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Scottish BordersFrequently Asked Questions
Is Neidpath Castle and the River Tweed from Peebles dog friendly?
This is a well-regarded dog-friendly walk, earning a rating of 8 out of 10. The River Tweed runs alongside the route for most of the way, giving dogs plenty of chances to drink and paddle in the shallows, and the woodland paths below Neidpath Castle offer good space to roam. Livestock is rarely encountered on the main loop, making it a relaxed choice for most dogs.
Can dogs be off lead at Neidpath Castle and the River Tweed from Peebles?
There is moderate off-lead potential once you leave the park and town streets behind, particularly on the woodland paths beneath Neidpath Castle. Hay Lodge Park at the start of the route is popular with families, so keeping dogs on a lead there is advisable. The rest of the loop is quieter and more suited to letting dogs roam freely.
What should I know before visiting Neidpath Castle and the River Tweed from Peebles with my dog?
The Tweed is a large river with a strong current, so stick to calm, shallow edges if your dog wants a paddle and keep them well clear of any fishing lines, as anglers use the banks. The paths through the woodland can get muddy, so it's worth coming prepared for that. Peebles town centre is only a few minutes from the car park, with cafes, pubs and public toilets all easily accessible after the walk.
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