Biggar and Broughton (10 miles 16 km ) Print

BIGBw01 Waypoint 1
Biggar to Broughton
Two-thirds of this enjoyable circular route is off-road, half on disused railway and the other along an old drove road. Spanning the border between South Lanarkshire and the Scottish Borders, it is an ideal half-day or summer evening ride. For those who want to go fast, there is plenty of scope for some good long canters or gallops and for those who prefer to take their time, the views from the old drove road between Skirling and Broughton are fantastic. No formally agreed parking arrangements but there is normally ample space at Biggar Golf Course (follow the signs for Biggar Little Theatre and carry on down to the end of the road, next to the park and boating pond). Alternatively there may be space at the cattle market at the eastern end of Biggar. Either way, you are advised to turn your trailer/box when you arrive in case the car park fills up while you are out riding and if you are meeting with friends and are looking for parking


BIGBw02 Waypoint 2
Biggar to Broughton
At the Broughton end of the disused railway, immediately past the service centre on your right, you will reach a gate which restricts access to the coal yard. Follow the rather unpromising but clearly waymarked path around to the left (i.e. north) of the coal yard fence, across the wooden bridge over the Biggar Water to Broughton Brewery. Turn right along the tarmac brewery access road to the A701. Turn left onto the A701 through Broughton.


BIGBw03 Waypoint 3
Biggar to Broughton
Turn left at the café on the road towards Biggar and almost immediately right, just before a new house with a turret, following the track uphill past an old house on the right to the grass drove road which is enclosed by parallel dykes/hedges on either side.Take care to close the gate which is usually fastened across the lower end of the track and beware of rabbit holes. Carry on along the track heading north-west towards Skirling. Please note that there may be shallow ditches to ford or jump along this section, you may also need to dismount to open gates and there is no waymarking on this part of the route is not included in the original Tweed Trails developed by SoSCT, It is however, easy to follow.


BIGBw04 Waypoint 4
Biggar to Broughton
Turn left, skirting around the village green and then left again along the A72 for a short distance before branching off to the left on a minor road past Spittal Farm and Skirling Mains. At the T junction with B7016, turn right and follow this road back into Biggar. The first left at the puppet theatre takes you back down to the golf course.