Boston Cottage Drove Road

Boston Cottage Drove Road Show path on map

Start location: King's Inn ( NS 993 522 )

End location: Old Lanark Road, west of North Slipperfield ( NT 123 517 )

Geographical area:

Path type:

Path distance: 15km

Accessibility info:

Route Description

From NS994524 (2km south of Auchengray) go east by Kings Inn Terrace and along the farm road past East Yardhouses. Head eastwards crossing the windfarm track and cutting across moorland, crossing the North Medwin (no bridge) to reach the A70 Lanark road. Cross this and continue by a path southeast through a small plantation and then by a clear track to Left Law. At a signpost (NT047500), the way divides; the clear track on the right passes Stoneypath (Little Sparta) to reach Dunsyre, but instead take the left fork. Follow the line of this old drove road – its path is initially indistinct, but is marked with posts – which goes east-northeast over the moor between Bleak Law and Mid Hill.  East of Bleak Law, it joins a more obvious track, which continues northeast across the West Water, and thence the Medwin Water just north of Medwynhead. Continue along the track towards North Slipperfield, just before which this route meets the Old Lanark Road.

OS Landranger 72 (Upper Clyde Valley)

Heritage Information

This is an old drove road that was marked on Bartholomew maps well into the 20th century. There are even editions of the Pentlands map which helpfully show the location of signs and marker posts installed by the then Scottish Rights of Way Society. Today, Friends of the Pentlands produce a free Pentland Hills map which includes this old route, available locally or downloadable online.

King's Inn has no inn, but is said by Will Grant in "The Call of the Pentlands" (1927) to be a relic of the hunting days of the Jameses and their frequent visits to Carnwath and Cowthally.

Although there are no buildings at Boston Cottage today, it is believed to have been the location of a staging post or coachhouse where the horses pulling the Edinburgh to Lanark mail coach were changed. Some older walking guide books refer to this spot as "Boston Cottage (no cottage)".

We are told that the route was formerly at least in part use by a carter who transported goods from the train at Auchengray station over the hills to Dunsyre and beyond.

 

Gallery

Westruther Burn running through wetland south of Seat Hill. Taken shortly before the place where the path to Dunsyre crosses by a ford/jump. © Richard Webb, Geograph Westruther Burn running through wetland south of Seat Hill. Taken shortly before the place where the path to Dunsyre crosses by a ford/jump. © Richard Webb, Geograph
Beech trees by the road at East Yardhouses. © Callum Black, Geograph Beech trees by the road at East Yardhouses. © Callum Black, Geograph
NT001520: map of path network in Ross Wood, formerly Kings Inn Woodland (2007). © Richard Webb, Geograph NT001520: map of path network in Ross Wood, formerly Kings Inn Woodland (2007). © Richard Webb, Geograph
NT023514 looking SE along a very good track which crosses the southern Pentlands from the Lang Whang towards Dunsyre, however the bit through the forest is not so great, it is a bit muddy after thinning - at least you don't have to fight the trees (2010). © Richard Webb, Geograph NT023514 looking SE along a very good track which crosses the southern Pentlands from the Lang Whang towards Dunsyre, however the bit through the forest is not so great, it is a bit muddy after thinning - at least you don't have to fight the trees (2010). © Richard Webb, Geograph
The Little Sparta to Boston Cottage track looking west towards the woods east of the Lang Whang or A70(2006), © Callum Black, Geograph The Little Sparta to Boston Cottage track looking west towards the woods east of the Lang Whang or A70(2006), © Callum Black, Geograph
NT030510 looking ESE. Unlike some routes shown on maps of the southern Pentlands, the path from the A70 to Dunsyre is easy to follow. It is a well surfaced and drained path crossing ill-frequented wild moorland with good views (2010). © Richard Webb, Geograph NT030510 looking ESE. Unlike some routes shown on maps of the southern Pentlands, the path from the A70 to Dunsyre is easy to follow. It is a well surfaced and drained path crossing ill-frequented wild moorland with good views (2010). © Richard Webb, Geograph
NT034508 looking ESE along the Lang Whang to Dunsyre path (2010). A very good path with only the odd place where it is lost to the bog. Gives an easy walk through a wild empty space - for now!, © Richard Webb, Geograph NT034508 looking ESE along the Lang Whang to Dunsyre path (2010). A very good path with only the odd place where it is lost to the bog. Gives an easy walk through a wild empty space - for now!, © Richard Webb, Geograph
NT049501: an older line of marker posts has recently been replaced by ScotWays (2007). The line-of-sight posts, one of which is shown here, indicate the line of an old drove road to West Linton across moorland and bog between Left Law and Bleak Law. © Eileen Henderson, Geograph NT049501: an older line of marker posts has recently been replaced by ScotWays (2007). The line-of-sight posts, one of which is shown here, indicate the line of an old drove road to West Linton across moorland and bog between Left Law and Bleak Law. © Eileen Henderson, Geograph
NT048500 looking E. This seemingly strangely situated signpost indicates the right of way (not a path) leading over the hill towards West Linton. Here it leaves the very fine track between the Lang Whang and Stonypath (2010). © Richard Webb, Geograph NT048500 looking E. This seemingly strangely situated signpost indicates the right of way (not a path) leading over the hill towards West Linton. Here it leaves the very fine track between the Lang Whang and Stonypath (2010). © Richard Webb, Geograph

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