Bore Stane Track
Start location: Beechgrove Farm, A70, opposite disused airfield (NT 130 654)
End location: Carlops (NT 161 562)
Geographical area: Lothian and Borders
Path Type: Rural Path
Path distance: 10.5km
Accessibility info: Suitable for pedestrians
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Route DescriptionHead generally south from the A70 at Beechgrove Farm, for about 3km to reach Listonshiels. There turn south-southeast uphill towards the Bore Stane and descend by the North Esk Reservoir to Carlops.
OS Landranger 65 (Falkirk & West Lothian)
Heritage Information
This is undoubtedly an old route crossing the Pentlands and as a trans-Pentlands route, has probably been used for many centuries, by a variety of different people, or various means.
The route passes by Temple House and to the west of Listonshiels is Temple Hill. Both these names refer to the Knights Templar, who owned much of the surrounding land until their suppression.
The Bore Stane itself is simply a natural stone marking the col on the pass. It is unremarkable except that it is named, however it sits today where the council regions of Midlothian, Scottish Borders and City of Edinburgh meet, so is likely a boundary stone and possibly a navigational aid.
The route passes by the North Esk Reservoir, contructed in 1846 to provide water to the mills on the Esk. Seven long graves on one of the islands in the reservoir may be from the early Christian period.
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