A Midsummer's day walk to the 3 Brethren and Peat Law

21 June 2019

 

Participants: Neil and Ben

Where: Hareshaw Hill (Three Brethren), 464m/1,522', P 65m, TuMP, OS 73, NT 433 319 and Peat Law, 426m/1,398', P 69m, TuMP, OS 73, NT 443 307

 

A perfect midsummers day for hill walking, cool, a bit breezy, perfect visibility. A walk to the Three Brethren had been on my list for a while and I decided to do it by following the Southern Upland Way from Yair bridge, north of Selkirk. Although the path initially went through the forest, it was reasonably open and a very pleasant walk.....

 

 

Just follow the signs.....

 

 

The path emerged from the woodland at a junction on the col between Hareshaw Hill and Peat Law......

 

 

It then went up the moorland at the side of the forest to emerge at the distinctive cairns of the Three Brethren. These mark the boundaries of the estates of Buccleuch, Yair and Selkirk Burgh. The first cairn was built by Alexander Pringle, Laird of Yair and Whytbank Tower in 1512. However, one cairn was considered to be insufficient and another two were built at a later date. They are shown on military maps of the mid-1700's so they have stood on Hareshaw Hill for a while! Riders taking part in the Selkirk Common Riding visit them each year and there is a plaque to commemorate this event......

 

 

 

It is a great viewpoint. Looking west.....

 

 

north.....

 

and east to the Eildon Hills with the Cheviot on the horizon.....

 

 

My next objective was Peat Law, to the south.....

 

 

So it was back to the col from where a wide track crossed the east slopes of the hill. I followed this to its highest point so there was only a little heather bashing required to reach the cairns at the top. This is the highest cairn with Hareshaw Hill in the background.....

 

 

There was a better view of the Eildon Hills from here.....

 

 

and a view of Selkirk.....

 

 

I then returned to the col and reversed my ascent route. A great walk in beautiful countryside.