Kershopefoot: Border Routes and Forest History

Kershopefoot is shaped by the border landscape around the Kershope Burn and by its layered forest and railway history. During a stay, these aspects of the place can be considered side by side: the river setting provides the geographical context, while routes and historic sites bring individual themes into focus. Across the Border and the Cross Border Trail should be understood as distinct routes. Their paths and points of interest differ.

Landscape around the Kershope Burn

The Kershope Burn forms part of the border between England and Scotland. It flows through a steep, wooded valley that separates Newcastleton Forest and Kershope Forest, and joins the Liddel Water near Kershopefoot. The marked Cross Border Trail passes the Kershope Burn and the Three Counties meeting point.

Kershope Bridge SSSI lies 3 km east of Kershopefoot in Liddesdale, at and along the Kershope Burn. The protected-site designation may be subject to official updates. Blackburn Falls is at the confluence of Long Gill and Rough Gill. Access is difficult; conditions may change after heavy rain.

Routes and historic points of interest

Across the Border is listed as 18 km, or 11 miles. The route crosses the Kershope Burn at the border between England and Scotland and reaches Kershopefoot from Kershope Bridge via a 2 km section of cycle path. The 2 km refers to this section, while the 18 km refers to the stated route. Check map details and route conditions again before setting off.

In the Kershopefoot area, Across the Border uses a former railway crossing and then follows the old railway line. The route also passes over Tourney Holm, where cross-border disputes were settled during the Reiving period. It passes Day Holm, which is mentioned in the ballad of Kinmont Willie. These waypoints connect the landscape with historical and literary references, without turning the two routes into a single tour.

Forest and railway history

A camp was established at Kershopefoot in 1931 to help the long-term unemployed return to work. Kershopefoot camp was the first training centre for forestry workers to open in the North-West Conservancy. During the Second World War, the camp served as a forestry base for the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit; from 1955 to 1985, it was a local Forestry Commission office. This sequence shows how the camp’s use changed between employment support, forestry and administration.

The former railway station is also part of the area’s history. Kershopefoot station was open from 1862 to 1969 and was opened on the Border Union Railway (North British Railway). It was the first station in England on the Waverley Route. The station is closed. Another railway reference can be found on Across the Border: in the Kershopefoot area, the route uses a former railway crossing and then follows the old railway line.

You can therefore choose between different areas of interest when planning your trip: the border river and forests, a route with a specific stated distance, or forest and railway history. If you are mainly interested in the routes, take note of the details given for each and check the map details before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Coldstream, Ednam, Carlops, Peebles, Lauder, Clovenfords, Ashkirk, Duns

For the main travel overview: The Scottish Borders.