Photographs and map of a circular traverse of the Corbett Hart Fell above Moffat in the Borders Region of Scotland

Location: Borders
Maps: OS Landranger Sheets 73 and 79
Distance: 5 miles ( 8km )
Time: 3-4 hours
Terrain: Good paths

A walk from Riskinhope to Dryhope Tower along the shores of Loch of the Lowes and St Mary's Loch, a stretch of water beautifully described by some of Scotland’s ﬁnest poets, is a terriﬁc outing. lt’s a linear walk so it might be helpful to use two cars, or dump a bike at the ﬁnish and cycle back to the start once you're done. Ideally you’ll get someone to drop you off and pick you up later, or simply retrace your steps back to the starting point. Mallard, tufted duck, wigeon, goldeneye and common sandpiper can be seen in both lochs at most times of the year, so it’s handy to have a pair of binoculars with you.
The route from Tibbie Shiels Inn to Dryhope Tower follows the Southern Upland Way, which runs for 212 miles ( 340km ) from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath and was opened at Tibbie Shiels Inn in 1984.
James Hogg -the Ettrick Shepherd and Sir Walter Scott were both patrons of the inn and Tibbie herself lived from 1782 to 1878. She is buried with her molecatcher husband Robert Richardson in Ettrick churchyard.
Dryhope Tower was the birthplace of Mary Scott, the Flower of Yarrow, in 1550. Mary was married to Auld Wat of Harden, apparently an ancestor of Walter Scott. Legend claims that in lean times Mary would serve her husband a pair of spurs on a serving tray, a strong hint that the cupboard was bare and it was time he raided some cattle.
Below Capper Law on the north shore of the loch is the site of the now vanished St Mary's Chapel, where William Wallace is said to have been appointed Warden of Scotland in 1297.
Leave the A708 at Chapelhope and follow the farm track to Riskinhope from where a path runs north-north-east to follow the east shore of Loch of the Lowes. The pike ﬁshing here, and in neighbouring St Mary's Loch, is excellent. Cross the bridge over the Little Yarrow and make your way to Tibbie Shiels Inn, and join the route of the Southern Upland Way.
Follow the SUW signs, along the sketchy path over grassy banks into pleasant woodland before crossing the bridge over the March Sike and continuing along the shoreside path to Bowerhope. Just past the house, the footpath merges with the main forest track and runs between the lochside and the forest to the bridge over the Yarrow Water.
Cross the bridge then immediately turn right, still following signs for the Way.
Follow the river now, to the footbridge over the Dryhope Burn. The route now lies in a north-west direction, crossing the main road then following two ﬁeld edges to reach the Dryhope to Blackhouse track. Once on the track turn left, and go through a gate to the gaunt remains of Dryhope Tower, peaceful in its hillside setting and well protected by the Dryhope Burn in the east and the Kirkstead Burn in the west. Try to imagine those tumultuous times when the tower was built, before the return journey to Riskinhope.

Route:
Leave the A708 at Chapelhope ( GR: NT232191 ) and follow the farm track to Riskinhope from where a path runs NNE to follow the E shore of Loch
of the Lowes.
Cross the bridge over the Little Yarrow and TR to Ttbbie Shiels Inn, and join the Southern Upland Way.
Follow SUW signs through the car park to a gate at the far end and then past the sailing clubhouse to another gate and a stile.
Cross and follow the sketchy path over a grassy bank.
Go through some woods.
Cross the bridge over the March Sike and continue on the lochside path to Bowerhope.
Past the house the footpath merges with the main forest track and continues to the bridge over the Yarrow Water.
Cross the bridge then immediately TR, still following SUW signs.
Go R along river bank to footbridge over the Dryhope Burn.
Continue NW, crossing the main road.
Follow two field edges to reach the Dryhope to Blackhouse track.
TL through a gate to Dryhope Tower ( GR: NY267245 ).