Previewing the River Tweed Trail Storytelling Walk
On Sunday the 6th of October I will lead my first River Tweed Trail Storytelling Walk at Peebles. I will lead a small group of interested folks around a 4.5km walk, taking in Peebles Old Parish Church & Bridge, Haylodge Park, The Caledonian Railway Tunnel & Viaduct and Neidpath Castle. Along the way, The River Tweed will never be far from our route, and we will be blessed with stunning autumnal colours. As it’s a storytelling walk, I will of course be entertaining the walkers with stories along the way including ancient feuds, engineering marvels, riverside wildlife and prominent locals. I am really looking forward to this, something a little bit different for me and for the Peeblesshire area. Tickets are still available, and can be picked up using this link.
In this blog, I want to give a bit of background into what the River Tweed Trail is, and why I am organising this walking tour, a good 2 or 3 years before the trail formally opens!
The River Tweed Trail
The River Tweed Trail will celebrate and share the nature, history and stories of the River Tweed, one of the UK’s most highly designated and inspirational river corridors. This is, of course, a subject very close to my heart. A five-year, partnership-led investment (headed by Destination Tweed, part of Tweed Forum) begun in 2022 will deliver a source to sea River Tweed Trail, which respects its special status and will connects communities and attractions with sensitive, impactful and innovative interpretation.
The River Tweed Trail will be a 113 mile walking trail and facilitated 108 mile cycling route from Moffat, past the source of the river, to Berwick-upon-Tweed where the river meets the sea. Visitors will have the opportunity to do the walking or cycling trails either in their entirety or in part over a few days with different itinerary options being developed. The River Tweed Trail initiative will see an investment of around £25 million in the area. We can already see some early impact of this investment with a new crossing of the A72 at Peebles and multi use path towards the Gytes Lesiure Centre.
For me, I see nothing but positivity from this investment. Working as a tour guide in The Borders in recent times, the river has taken on an even greater significance than ever as the strand that binds the region together, with stories of the past, and hope for the future, flowing along it’s length. I have seen the positive impact having the Southern Upland Way locally has had to the area around Innerleithen, both as an economic driver and enhancing a sense of identity locally. I expect the River Tweed Trail to add to this, as another corridor across the South of Scotland and a magnet for adventurous visitors. In short, I want to be involved and on at the ground floor…
Storytelling Walks
After meeting with Neen Kelly, the project's business engagement officer, it became evident that local businesses should be eager to engage with the trail and create memorable experiences for visitors, despite the launch being set for 2027/28. My business, which is centred around storytelling, aligns with the trail's goal of 'sensitive, impactful, and innovative interpretation.' This inspired me to develop the concept of Storytelling Walks. They are sensitive because they are conducted on foot, at a leisurely pace. They are impactful as the personal interaction in small group guided walks can leave a lasting impression—hopefully a positive one! They are innovative as this is a novel concept for the area, and it offers an activity that can be enjoyed year-round, aiding in the expansion of visitor experiences during the off-peak seasons. Eventually, I envision these walks taking place at various points along the Tweed catchment, with options for both public events and private bookings. Looking forward, I aim for these walks to become a staple in The Borders well before the trail's official opening in 2027—it's a long-term vision! To kick this off, I've selected the classic route at Peebles and am thrilled to host the first visitors, who will also be trailblazers at the inception of the River Tweed Trail. I hope you'll be able to join me :)
The River Tweed Trail - Storytelling Walk (Peebles) is operated by Stewart Wilson, Tweed Valley Blogger. The meets at Peebles Old Parish Church Steps at 10am on Sunday 6 October 2024 and will take approximately 2 hours. Tickets are priced at £12 for adults and free for Under 16’s and are exclusively available on Eventbrite.
