Lynedale Walk

This circular walk takes the visitor through the outskirts of the village and across the river Lyne via the old bridge at Lynedale. It traverses an area rich in historical associations and of outstanding scenic quality.

Starting from the village, walk up the Main Street, bearing left at the junction towards the A702, noting the oldest house in the village on the right (1). This was originally a tower house or keep. On crossing the river Lyne look out over the village and its setting and then proceed to Medwyn Road (2). The once famous and extensive Linton Sheep Fairs were held in the fields to the left (3) on market days in June. When a comparison of size needed to be made the saying went, 'Big? Ay, big as the Linton Market!' The local Linton breed of sheep, now extinct, was traded for its hard-wearing grey wool which was woven into hodden cloth. Since it was situated on a main droving route through the Pentland Hills the market attracted sheep and cattle traders from other areas of Scotland and from England.

To the right Medwyn House (4) may be glimpsed through the trees. This was originally a coaching inn, known as Brighouse Inn where no doubt many a drouthy drover was to be found on market days. It was extended and turned into a gentleman's residence in the 19th century.

A short way further on is the opening for Lynedale (5), before turning down to the old bridge below, pause to look at the beautiful view of Mendick Hill (6) across the golf course. The old coaching road from Biggar to Edinburgh skirts the golf course and follows the present road through Lynedale becoming a track further on. Many notable people in history passed this way, including Mary, Queen of Scots and her new husband, Darnley in 1567.

In the earlier era, the Romans crossed the Lyne here on their way to the Forth Estuary, and the importance they gave to the security of the crossing is evidenced by the site of a watch tower situated on the hill above and to marching camps in the immediate neighbourhood.

The road climbs the hill out of Lynedale and the view opens out to reveal a stretch of the Pentland Hills, the river Lyne winding through its valley and the Baddinsgill moors beyond. It is worth taking a short detour past the track coming in from the right (7) in order to look at the 'Siller Holes' (8) an area lying uphill from a small lochan. Lead and silver were mined here for many centuries and it is said that the Regent, Mary of Guise paid her troops with silver from these mines. Recently, as a result of dredging the lochan, a large number of examples of cloth and leather wear from mediaeval times have been retrieved and now form the most extensive such assemblage in Scotland.

Returning to (7) proceed along the old road known as the Loan, which was the route into Linton before the A702 was opened in 1831. To the left is Lead Law (9) upon which there was once a large prehistoric cairn, a fact which serves as a reminder that there is much evidence in the locality for the presence of bronze and iron age peoples. The quality of the scenery and the peaceful surroundings make this stretch of the walk particularly pleasant. The old road descends to the busy trunk road where visitors may catch a bus or return to the centre of the village.

This short, easy walk encompasses much that attracts the visitor to the area. Along the route it will be seen how the conservation centre of the village gives way to more spacious modern developments and further on to the unspoilt hills and moorland. Areas of woodland soften the landscape and among the many beautiful trees to be seen, many of them planted in the last century, the lime avenues along Medwyn Road and down the Loan are particularly fine, especially in the Springtime.

Each season of the year has its own special attractions to be savoured in and around the Lyne Valley, once much favoured as a holiday destination for the folk from Edinburgh. Whenever visitors choose to come, be they day or staying guests, they will be assured of a warm welcome and much to interest them in the parish of West Linton.

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