http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Peebles -Eddleston cycle path en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:17:09 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-376112 Fri, 09 Aug 2024 10:35:40 +0000 gembo 376112@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Was at the Shiplaw Observatory and took the road then gravel to La Manacha. Involved. Cycling through the Don Coyote Shooting Club.</p> <p>On the way home noticed the bed of the old railway beyond Shiplaw which could maybe be turned into a path to start the link t9 Gladhouse……. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375978 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:32:33 +0000 ejstubbs 375978@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@toomanybikes: That old railway route to Waterheads seems to be <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.8124543,-3.2309398,20.07z?entry=ttu">begging to be used</a>. It does look <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.8124543,-3.2309398,20.07z?entry=ttu">slightly less inviting with all those "danger" signs</a> at the north end but I suspect that may just be the landowner trying to put people off using it (what looks like forestry appears to extend for only 100m or so beyond that point on the OS and Google aerial views). The bridge over the Eddleston water shown on the OS map at grid ref NT 2434649979 seems to be still extant: it's visible on both the OS and Google aerial views. Whether it would still be robust enough to run a new public thoroughfare over might be another matter, though, Strava users notwithstanding. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375977 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:05:25 +0000 ejstubbs 375977@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><strong>@gembo</strong>: "there is maybe a route across the pentlands that comes out at the observatory on Shiplaw."</p> <p>You mention the moor road to West Linton. The Cross Borders Drove Road runs from West Linton to Peebles and according to <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16198">this old CCE thread</a> it's cycleable from West Linton. OSM shows a track that turns north off the drove road a bit east of the farm/dwelling marked as Greenside on OSM (although it's marked as Courhope on the OS 1:25,000 map) and ends up on the minor road which runs SE towards the observatory. I've no idea how rideable that track might be, and to my eye the overall route is far from direct. (Alternatively you could carry on along the drove road to where it meets the Meldons road and head to Eddleston and on to Shiplaw from there - distance-wise there's probably not a lot in it.)</p> <p>A more direct option <em>might</em> be offered by the track shown on OSM that turns NE off Station Road about 1km SE of West Linton and picks up the route of the old Leadburn, Linton and Dolphinton Railway for a short way before turning SE about 1km from the turn off Station Road to head more or less directly to Noblehouse on the A701. From there OSM shows another track heading more-or-less-east through the forestry before joining the track which turns in to the minor road on which the observatory lies. I have no idea how cycleable, or even accessible, either of those tracks might be.</p> <p>If you'd rather not go as far south as West Linton then you could dogleg across the moor road junction with the quiet road from Carlops to take the minor road that goes via Macbiehill and drops you out on the A701 at Whitmuir. From there it's about 1km NE along the main road to Lamancha - a good third of which <em>could</em> be done on the Old Moffat Road if you don't mind a brief bushwack across the verge to access the old road (it would surely be trivial to pave those few yards to make things easier for peds and cyclists?) OSM shows a track leading SW and then SE from opposite Lamancha Hub on the old road, through the forestry area (passing the "Don Coyote Outdoor Centre") and connecting directly to the observatory road. That track looks OK for a gravel bike at the Lamancha end on <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.8124543,-3.2309398,20.07z?entry=ttu">Streetview</a>, and the Google aerial view of the whole length of it doesn't look too bad. Once again, however, I cannot vouch for its rideableness(?)</p> <p>Yet <em>another</em> other option could be to continue past Lamancha on the A701 for another ~2km to Whim and take the actual road actually signposted "Eddleston via Shiplaw" from there to Shiplaw. But that does look rather more round the houses than the potential option direct from Lamancha. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375976 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:48:10 +0000 toomanybikes 375976@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote>old railway route would need to be used. </blockquote></p> <p>Yeah, looks like verge gets too small 1/3rd of way up. Can see it is trampled/ walked along to there on maps, clearly some latent demand.</p> <p>Old railway line would be perfect. Looks walked but not cycled on Strava global heatmap.</p> <p>Brilliant gravel cycling route to avoid the road on the eastern side, but a bit hilly and awkward with the adjacent Portmore House and bits for it to be converted to a formal path </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375975 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:14:26 +0000 LaidBack 375975@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Never visited the Scots Pine Tea Room but been tempted. Basically too early in ride for me as once over Leadburn it's easier to keep on till Meldons.<br /> Reclined down there the other Sunday quite early before tea room was open.<br /> Meldons lovely but very much the preserve of assorted campervans with tents. Big group sitting out with big tent and table having breakfast. Others driving off road to get to river. Very much how people do the great outdoors in 2024.</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66067108@N08/53872086401/in/datetaken/" title="20240721_095629"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53872086401_d8eb34abfc.jpg" alt="20240721_095629" /></a><br /> Came back via Romano Bridge, West Linton and moor road.<br /> Saw Sandra Murdoch and ERC group going south out of Penicuik.<br /> Took direct Straiton route back to city to avoid Hillend. Both are bad in different ways! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375967 Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:54:13 +0000 gembo 375967@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Often when slogging up the Granites I look back across to Gladhouse where I have come from in a massive dog leg and think a nice wee path across the bog would be nice.</p> <p>Further down the Granites descent maybe at the first habitable dwelling there does seen ton be a path that heads west.?????</p> <p>No chat like this is complete without a shout out for. The Scots Pine Tea Room which abides against the odds. Seems to have some awning type stuff at the front these days. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375965 Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:43:23 +0000 fimm 375965@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Peebles-Eddleston-Gladhouse-Middelton-Granites-Innerleithen-Peebles? Nice loop, about 60km.</p> <p>When we lived in Gorgie I would do Penickuik-Moor Road-Whitmuir-up the A701 through Lamancha-over the hill (I think this is what Gembo calls "Shiplaw")-Gladhouse-home and that bit up the A702 was a necessary evil to do that loop. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375964 Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:32:35 +0000 boothym 375964@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There's images of the roadside section from Eddleston to Shiplaw Road if you want to see what it looks like: <a href="https://www.mapillary.com/app/?pKey=994866142004669&amp;focus=photo" rel="nofollow">https://www.mapillary.com/app/?pKey=994866142004669&amp;focus=photo</a></p> <p>Probably stopped there as continuing north alongside the road looks a bit more complicated as the grass verge runs out and the river gets closer, think at that point the old railway route would need to be used. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375950 Sun, 28 Jul 2024 15:19:41 +0000 toomanybikes 375950@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not running it to Gladhouse is nonsensical. Always where I'm headed if I'm going up that road. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375946 Sat, 27 Jul 2024 21:52:27 +0000 gembo 375946@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Shiplaw is really quiet, there is maybe a route across the pentlands that comes out at the observatory on Shiplaw. We have done a partial. Recce. But not the full route. There is very quiet road from Carlops to Moor road [the one that goes to West Linton] </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375945 Sat, 27 Jul 2024 21:25:26 +0000 Dave 375945@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not a traffic free loop, but you can do Innerleithen north then around by Gladhouse on pretty quiet roads, then you could get back to the start on paths </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375944 Sat, 27 Jul 2024 20:09:19 +0000 gembo 375944@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Gladhouse would be good. How does it loop? You could theoretically take the bus to Peebles and cycle up and down the path? The Meldons road has very little traffic in the morning but again you might well have trouble on the road although there is maybe a path out of Peebles. Neidpath? Another great route goes up to Manor head very little traffic then you can push the path for 1.5 miles then take the fire road down to the Tala road. Though stil no loops without traffic </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375942 Sat, 27 Jul 2024 18:59:18 +0000 Dave 375942@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I wish they'd take it a bit further north to that gladhouse turning. That would open up a nice granites loop, there's no prospect of taking the kids on the main road.. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-375941 Sat, 27 Jul 2024 16:41:08 +0000 gembo 375941@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Came down Shiplaw today and used the nice new path to get into Eddleston to avoid the shocking road. Lovely that they extended it to that point. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-371681 Sun, 12 Nov 2023 15:30:22 +0000 gembo 371681@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ha.</p> <p>Upon reflection when we come down Shiplaw it is usually before 10a.m. And quiet as it is not yet open.</p> <p>Or if going the other way it is later I. The morning and the cars are enough to contend with so we don’t notice Scots Pine in that direction </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-371680 Sun, 12 Nov 2023 15:26:40 +0000 ejstubbs 371680@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><strong>@gembo</strong>: <em>After that heading North there is a right that goes up to Gladhouse I do believe.</em> Correct, up a pair of steep hairpin bends*, then after the climb Gladhouse is about 2 miles beyond the turnoff on the right for Portmore Reservoir.</p> <p><em>* With a quasi alpine feel to them, a bit like the climb out of Kenmore on the Glen Quaich road only not as long or as steep.</em> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-371679 Sun, 12 Nov 2023 14:54:55 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 371679@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Scots Pine seemed pretty busy yesterday judging by car park and cars on the old road. They were shootin’ pheasant up the hill at Boreland farm which disrupted my plans somewhat. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-371678 Sun, 12 Nov 2023 14:17:09 +0000 gembo 371678@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks @Murun. Scots Pine could do with the business. After that heading North there is a right that goes up to Gladhouse I do believe. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-371676 Sun, 12 Nov 2023 13:20:38 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 371676@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo the roadworks notification says Shiplaw Rd to northern boundary of Eddleston. However it’s also described as ‘new footway’, so maybe not shared use. Looks pretty wide though.</p> <p>Always thought the ‘old Edinburgh road’ to Scots Pine would form the basis of any continuation. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-371673 Sun, 12 Nov 2023 11:58:08 +0000 gembo 371673@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Where will it end? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=3#post-371671 Sun, 12 Nov 2023 11:12:04 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 371671@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Works have commenced to continue the path out the ‘near’ end of Eddleston. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=2#post-368935 Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:05:56 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 368935@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>All good points @acsimpson. One thing that surprised me was that I'm pretty sure I didn't see any signage <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/RKWtu2eBM2X4GRML7">here</a> to give those not familiar with the area, the option to go into Peebles via Rosetta Rd, rather than continue along the cyclepath for another 1km only to be dumped out <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/1Z9GjJjLuGxA3jeM9">here</a> on the A703 where the money and/or political will ran out, with 1.5km still to go to the centre of Peebles. As you say, a thoroughly British cycle path.</p> <p>(and that sign at the Rosetta Rd crossing with 'Peebles 3/4' is wildly over-optimistic unless we're now measuring distance to the first house on the outskirts!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=2#post-368933 Mon, 26 Jun 2023 10:31:06 +0000 acsimpson 368933@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We rode the new path on our way down to Carlisle for RttS. A few observations on it. Firstly it's nice and new and well laid so currently very easy rolling. However there did seem to be a few problems.</p> <p>I would agree with Laidback's contact that some of the corners are too tight. They are fine on an upright bike but are essentially 90 degree corners (and even hairpins) on a 2m(?) wide path with fences either side. I can see that this could cause problems for anyone riding a non-standard bike.</p> <p>No lessons appear to have been learnt from the Peebles-Innerleithen path regarding roots. The path is unedged and at points has been laid within inches of trees. I would be very surprised if the surface isn't broken by roots making it very uncomfortable on non-suspension bikes within the next few years.</p> <p>Just north of Templebar there is a pair of fenced in switchbacks which take you down a steep bank. Although they do make an easier grade they seem entirely unnecessary. There is plenty of space to have made a long slope of the same gradient without the bends and just north of it the path kicks up a 15% ramp on a driveway so they haven't made it any more accessible as a whole by reducing the gradient here.</p> <p>The path undoubtedly is a good thing and I would be very happy cycling it with a young family but as always a few poor design choices have left us with a british class path rather than the world class path we might have wished for. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=2#post-368926 Sun, 25 Jun 2023 16:20:51 +0000 gembo 368926@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@amir, oh yes, he has a sort of small hatch thing. Glad he is still making a living. he is local, well top of Manor Water. Nice fella. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=2#post-368919 Sun, 25 Jun 2023 12:49:19 +0000 LaidBack 368919@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@MB - I need to check the path out as only have account from someone that said it was too tight to turn.</p> <p>@gembo - can understand that going up from Peebles it will make sense as less car interaction on your route round. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=2#post-368916 Sun, 25 Jun 2023 11:45:15 +0000 amir 368916@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo Nashys has reopened as a takeaway in Inners </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=2#post-368915 Sun, 25 Jun 2023 10:43:49 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 368915@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Did most of it yesterday (missed the first section out of Eddleston) and no sign of any barriers or chicanes. Switchbacks fairly acute but better than Russell Rd. One disappointing section where they’ve reused a lay-by/cutoff with a rubbish surface rather than continue the goodness. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=2#post-368914 Sun, 25 Jun 2023 08:19:34 +0000 gembo 368914@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The road is shocking in terms of numbers of cars and speed of drivers And 8n only ever use it between Shiplaw and Meldons - the Scots Pine Section. But it now gives another option eg if gone down Granites then inners to Peebles. Which can be on a path or ok road. Nashy’s has shut in Cadrona, shame nice fella, but then in Peebles find the path and take it to Eddleston then do the bad bit of road then up Shiplaw.. would also work in reverse as Shiplaw is easier that way. But does skip the Meldons which are fab. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=2#post-368910 Sat, 24 Jun 2023 22:04:34 +0000 LaidBack 368910@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote>No barrier that can stop a motorbike exists that doesn't also stop cargo bikes, tandems, many trailers, and most adapted cycles, </blockquote></p> <p>Andrew ex BW rides a 'normal bike' and just stays on the road. Would guess that sports cyclists like to keep speed higher than this path would allow anyway? So only some 'normal bikes' may end up using? Cycling gives pleasure and health to people of all abilities so paths should be 'for all'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20996&page=2#post-368906 Sat, 24 Jun 2023 19:36:48 +0000 Yodhrin 368906@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ejstubbs I stopped buying the funding argument when ScotGov gave them the money to set up the dashcam portal and they responded by dragging their heels and using it as a bargaining chip to try and squeeze even more money out of them. Maybe if they weren't deploying half the Glasgow force and a forensics tent to rifle through the former First Minister's home desk for a bit of paperwork or staging endless "we went to location X for exactly three minutes longer than the local chipwrapper's cameraman was there holding a speed gun, aren't we proactive" stunts for publicity they'd have a few bob left for police work. </p>