TWENTY members of the Scottish Borders Hill Walking Club met at Hartwoodmyres Wood near Ashkirk for their latest walk.

Having assembled we split into two groups, 15 for the A walk and five for the B.

With the weather fine and a brisk breeze in our faces, the A group headed west and quickly reached the trig point above Hartwoodmyres at 353 metres which proved to be the highest point of the walk.

We continued in a south westerly direction to Hutlerburn Loch over mostly uneven ground and very wet in places where a couple of members slipped and fell, the rain over the previous night not helping.

Shortly after the Loch it was a change of direction to south easterly and on reaching Wool Law we left behind the rough ground and picked up a good track leading to the Abbey Way via Huntley Rig and Outer Huntley.

At this point the weather had improved, with the sun shining we left the Abbey Way after only 100 metres heading for The Woll Estate and Ashkirk.

Four of the group walking have connections with Ashkirk resulting in some time spent reminiscing. At this point it was time for lunch, with two options the group split with half the group opting to lunch in more comfortable surrounding in the leader’s garden but no sun, the others electing to cross the lane and sit in a field in the sunshine.

During lunch a complete rainbow was witnessed but the rain stayed away. Lunch finished, we continued down towards the A7 where we turned back north easterly and climbed Shaw Hill the only real climb of the day and then passing by Headshaw Loch until reaching the boundary wall.

At this point, back in rougher wet ground, we turned westwards towards Hartwoodmyres Wood and eventually taking the Abbey Way for the last half mile back to our start.

The B group had followed A to start with but headed towards Headshaw Plantation, Western Moss and Loch Sike and finally passing The Bishop’s Stone on the return back to the start arriving shortly after the A group, both groups having done about nine to ten miles.

Next walk is a Tweed walk on Sunday, November 16. Meet at the car park in Newtown St Boswells at 10am. For more information, contact Evelyn Horsburgh on 01750 76214.

Scottish Borders Hill Walking Club will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special lunch on Friday, November 21, where the club’s booklet '40 Years On’ will be on sale for £5.