Ashkirk: Literary History and Walking Routes

Ashkirk brings together two distinct travel interests: a long local and literary history, and walking stages that connect the village with Hawick and Selkirk. For planning, it is worth choosing your focus first. Those interested in historical connections can explore the Ashkirk Church, the cemetery around the Ashkirk Aisle, and the poet William H. Ogilvie. If you prefer walking, you can consider the two stages of the Hawick–Selkirk section, each of which connects Ashkirk with either Hawick or Selkirk.

Local History and Literature

Ashkirk’s first recorded mention dates to 1116, in the records of the Bishop of Glasgow. Ashkirk Church and the village can trace their origins back almost 1,000 years. The year 1116 refers to a recorded mention; the look back across almost a thousand years, by contrast, applies to the church and village together.

The cemetery around the Ashkirk Aisle contains gravestones, the oldest of which date from the late 17th century. This period adds a distinctly later historical layer to the long history of the church and village.

Literary history offers another perspective: Ashkirk was the home of the poet William H. Ogilvie (1869–1963) for the last 45 years of his life. This long-standing biographical connection sits alongside the historical ties to the church, village, and cemetery. Compared with the recorded mention in 1116, these represent two different timescales: a personal connection lasting 45 years and a single dated entry in the village’s history. When choosing cultural history topics, you can therefore distinguish between a literary-biographical focus and a focus on local history.

Walking Routes and Planning

The Hawick–Selkirk walking section can be divided into two shorter stages: between Ashkirk and Hawick, and between Ashkirk and Selkirk. Both options share Ashkirk as a point of reference; they differ in their respective destinations. When choosing a stage, you can therefore consider whether Hawick or Selkirk is part of your onward travel plans.

For the Hawick–Selkirk section, the recommendation is to take the bus to Ashkirk and walk along the road to reach the route. Check current bus services before travelling, before deciding how to get there.

Borders Abbeys Way: Access and Features

The Borders Abbeys Way route from Sunnybank to Salenside is fully accessible for several types of use; there is an unlocked field gate beside each cattle grid. Check current Council notices before setting out, as infrastructure and access conditions can change. The route also passes through the relatively large Ashkirk Forest conifer plantation. Its highest point is at Bishop’s Stone, at 337 m; visibility there depends on the weather. Trail conditions can vary seasonally.

Discover more destinations: Paxton, Coldstream, Galashiels, Kelso, Walkerburn, Selkirk, Cockburnspath, Houndslow

For the main travel overview: The Scottish Borders.