Getting to the Border Esk

Most of the Border Esk is accessible via the A7. This is also known as the historic route to Edinburgh which leads north from junction 44 of the M6 motorway, just north of Carlisle.

The A7 passes over the Esk at Longtown bridge before crossing the border into Scotland. Within 500 yards north of crossing the border is a junction to the right. This turning takes you onto the B6357, which runs near to and along the Esk, past its junction with the Liddel. Much of the River Liddel is accessed from the B6357 between Canonbie and Newcastleton.

By continuing along the A7 , some 7 miles north of the border is the town of Langholm. Turning left at the north end of town onto the B709 Eskadalemuir road will take you to the clachan of Bentpath, and nearer the river’s source. The water splits once more into Black Esk and White Esk; the latter springing forth from the Ettrick Pen from which the Tweed system also flows.

For those coming from the north and north west, Eskdale and Liddesdale may also be accessed from junction 21 of the M74 at Kirkpatrick Fleming along the B6357 toward Canonbie and the A7.

If coming from the eastern central belt of Scotland, the A7 south from Edinburgh meets with the Esk at Langholm. From the northeast of England, the A69 from Newcastle to Brampton/ Carlisle affords an easy route to the Longtown area and the A7.