The Duns River Tour
Distance: 88 miles; Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Rural roads - Watch out for MSP - Muck, Sheep and Potholes!
Information
Campaign friendly premises
Fuel and food
Safety camera location
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Route information
A720 – Sheriffhall Junction
Take A7 south passing Newtongrange, Middleton, Falahill, Stow to Galashiels.
Continue south until the first major junction after Galashiels.
Take the 1st exit at roundabout - A6091 Melrose bypass signposted Jedburgh.
At the roundabout with A68 take the first exit signposted Edinburgh - Earlston.
At Earlston turn right onto the A6105 signposted Gordon.
Continue on A6105 to Greenlaw.
Turn right at junction with A697 signposted Coldstream and then almost immediately left onto the A6105 again.
In the centre of Duns, turn left, taking the A6112 uphill just after the Police Station signposted Preston and Grantshouse.
Continue for about a mile and a half and turn left onto the B6365 signposted Gifford/Cranshaws.
Continue on the B6365 all the way over the Lammermuir Hills and passing the Whiteadder Reservoir before reaching Gifford.
Continue on B6365 through Gifford to Pencaitland.
Turn left onto the A6093.
On reaching the A68 turn right and return towards the city bypass (A720) or go left after 3 miles to head through Dalkeith and back to your start point.
A7
Believe the road signage and paint - it will keep you safe.
Heriot - watch the road surface from here - top breaking up and seams exposed.
Junction with B6368 -Gilston Road - things tighten up from here - watch the first left and then right hand bends. The holes in the fence are testament to those not fully awake.
STOW - food available
From Stow to Galashiels lots of shrub and tree clearing has been undertaken to improve your views and as important let others see you.
3 miles south after a long straight watch the 180° left hander which is well signposted but surface breaking up a bit.
On entering Galashiels - Pipers Cafe is on the right. Plenty of other cafes, shops and fuel available. BCG Bikes are located at The Arcade, Channel Street and happy to assist with any problems, well worth a browse.
A6091
Fairly straight run towards the A68 - the old station building on the left gets admiring glances.
A68
Leaderfoot Viewpoint is a mile north on your left, River Tweed and the old railway viaduct. Well worth a stop.
Safety Camera - ½ mile south of Earlston.
Earlston - Petrol at Rutherford’s Garage immediately next door is Rhymers Tower Coffee Shop and Restaurant ( R & R). Meals range from breakfasts, through home baking to full restaurant menu. The Border Tart is well up there!
A6105
Still within Earlston watch out during school hours for the 20mph zone and the pedestrians.
As you leave Earlston watch out for the first series of bends, the end element with its zones of invisibility and tightening nature call for caution - read the road and don’t get sucked into what you can’t see.
An open and encouraging road with great lines given by hedges, trees and telegraph poles.
Around Huntlywood Granary area - watch the road surface
5 miles out of Earlston watch out for a couple of dips in the road, which are immediately followed by a tight left hand bend.
Watch out for the long straight with several undulations as you approach Greenlaw - it tightens up at the end
On leaving Geenlaw on the A6105 the road climbs slightly, the views open with nice straights and predictable bends. One exception - BEWARE - just after Choicelee Farm there is a nice long straight where the road appears to go straight on - IT DOESN’T - it goes SHARP LEFT. There’s plenty of signs and paint - so pay attention.
Duns - As you enter there’s a few new building works going on so watch the road surface. Plenty of cafes, shops and if needed, fill up with petrol, there’s no more on your route for 28 miles. The Jim Clark Memorial Rooms in Duns just up the road are well worth a visit.
Border Bikes is 2 minutes from the Police Station in the Station Road Industrial Estate and is happy to oblige with coffee and ‘must have’ goodies.
A6112
Your journey continues as you turn left onto the A6112 and climb out of the town.
B6365
As you turn left on the B6365 be aware you are now on a B ROAD - its narrower, less markings and the nearside of the road can be broken up.
Your initial decent includes some tightish bends and trees covering the road. As you meander past Cranshaws you’ll pass over the first of three cattle grids and then start a steep ascent to the reservoir. Again watch out for sheep and cars/pedestrians entering the picnic areas on your left. Great views from here on - first along the waterside and then out onto the open moorland. The views over the Forth just as you start the decent are well worth a stop - just make sure there’s something solid under the side stand before letting go!
On the decent be aware of the bends - a couple of tighter ones. As you head towards Gifford the large house on the left is not a mirage - its real honest.
On entering Gifford you’ll find a couple of small shops, pubs and a quaint village green area.
The route continues towards Pencaitland passed one of Scotland’s few thatched houses.
As you cross the Tyne water, just be aware of oncoming traffic- nice Gate House on your left.
On reaching the A6093 turn left and follow the well-surfaced road with predictable bends to the A68.
Turn right at the A68 and either head straight for the A720 city bypass or meander towards Dalkeith and your start point at the A7.
