Recently a group from Biggar Ramblers tackled the second part of the John Buchan Way from Stobo to Peebles. 7 miles in bright autumn sunshine made the walk even more enjoyable than the section completed the previous week. They truly felt they were walking in the footsteps of John Buchan who loved this landscape. A stretch of green turf, shaded on all sides by high beeches, sloped down to the stream side. The sun made a shining pathway down the middle, but the edges were in blackest shadow (from John Burnet of Barns by John Buchan 1898).
From the banks of the Tweed in Stobo the ramblers climbed steadily traversing Whitelaw Hill before descending into the valley cut by Manor Water and pausing for refreshment at some handy picnic benches situated beside the burn. The Autumn colours of the trees were just starting to appear as they took the lane that skirts the flank of Cademuir hill before climbing the track to its summit. The ancient hill forts at the top provide great views back down to the River Tweed as well as distant views of the outskirts of Peebles. The remainder of the walk, downhill on grassy paths is easy going. They emerged onto Edderston Road before zig zagging through housing estates to the Kingsmeadow car park.