Coldstream to Kelso

This historic Borders town is just over 1km from the route and once rivalled Gretna as the marriage venue for runaway lovers.

It is also synonymous with the Coldstream Guards, a regiment of foot soldiers raised here by General Monck in 1659, to help restore the exiled monarch Charles II to the throne. They marched upon London and succeeded. To this day, the Coldstream regiment is an elite corps of the British army, though no longer based at its place of inception.

Situated on the Tweed, there is a very good and FREE local museum, with courtyard and fountain (plus toilets). The Hirsel Estate boasts a beautiful country park and craft centre with tearooms set in woodlands.

The name derives from shiels or shielings, which means dwellings. The Gala bit is a reference to Gala Water. Textiles provided the major employment until the establishment of electronics factories in the 1960s. Gala is now the main Borders town and seems, once again, to be booming.

Head back up the lane you came down, and go just over 1km beyond where you turned left to enter Coldstream, before heading left at the sign. Cross the Leet Water and the busy A697 and continue on the same road as far as the A698, where you turn right, skirting to the left of Birgham Wood. The route now takes a series of dog legs through Eccles and Ednam.

Ednam is less than 4km from Kelso, from where the route takes attractive back lanes to Melrose. If you're stopping off in Kelso then keep going down the B6461; if not, take the right turn 1.5km beyond Ednam, past the top end of the race course, and briefly onto the A6089. After 1km there is a well signposted left turn, following the wall of Floors Castle. Follow this to Makerstoun.

18. Coldstream		Back to
		Candy's Kitchen, 51 High St, Coldstream

Candy provides a good spot for home-made cakes, scones and that local speciality, Border Tart. It is also a baguette bar, serving hot meals with a warm welcome. Take-away service too. Provides some tourist information.

Diane & Andrew Hay		Castle Hotel, 11 High St, Coldstream, TD12 4AP
Tel		01890 882830
Email		dianecuthbert@yahoo.com
Web		www.castlehotelcoldstream.co.uk
Rooms		3D, 3T, 1S.
B&B		from £30
EM		£7 - £13. 3-course set meal: £15
PL		£5.50

Small family run. Friendly and traditional, near the banks of the Tweed. Bike storage.

Irene & Brian Kirk		Garth House B&B, 7 Market St, Coldstream, TD12 4BU
Telephone & Fax		01890 882477
Rooms		2S, 2TPL, 1F (sleeps 5), 1D.
B&B		£19.50-£22.50
EM		Yes, on request in advance: £5 to £7.
PL		£3.50

Built in 1746, this establishment has lots of character. A warm welcome is extended to all guests.