Follow in the footsteps of Robbie Burns as you trace the banks of the River Nith from the heart of Dumfries. The route returns to the town centre using a cyclepath.
Riverside paths, muddy or slippery at times, rough with steps. Also woodland paths, cyclepath and pavements.
Bus or train to Dumfries.
Whitesands, Dumfries.
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The walk begins on the riverside in the heart of Dumfries, on White Sands, at Devorgilla Bridge. This ancient structure dates back to 1432- making it one of the oldest in Scotland, and it replaced an even earlier wooden structure. Rebuilt in 1620, it is currently having another refit but is more generally still open to pedestrians. There are car parks here as well as bus stops. Head upstream on the riverside walkway, passing behind the public toilets and under one of the arches of the busy Buccleugh Bridge.
Another, much newer bridge is reached next, used by the cyclepath. Do not cross but continue on the near bank. At a footpath sign keep straight on down some steps - signed Burns Walk. The next section of the walk is prone to flooding and must be avoided at such times. Otherwise the path - quite narrow and possibly slippery so requiring care - passes under a concrete bridge and continues along an attractive section of the Nith. This stretch is popular with local fishermen.
Eventually the path heads up steps to join Nunholm Road. Turn left along this for a few hundred metres until a signpost 'Burns Walk - Dalscone' indicates where to turn left to rejoin the river, passing under the many-arched rail bridge. Further on the path passes under the main A75 bypass and round a meander of the river with the ruins of Lincluden Collegiate Church visible over the far side. The river soon curves and passes back under the A75 to reach a parking area.
Cross this and continue on the riverbank path, passing under another railway bridge and then climbing up above the river through beech woodland, with the golf course on the right. At a signposted path junction continue on the riverside Burns walk towards Dalscone, heading up steps to gain even more height above the river. After passing under the A75 for a third and final time, turn right and follow the path that climbs up to join the pavement alongside the busy bypass. Turn left along this to the roundabout, and then head through the underpass. In the central area, take the right hand underpass to emerge on the Edinburgh Road. Turn left here and then, by the sign for Dumfries, turn left up the steps. A grassy path now leads across a field with trees on the right.
Continue to reach and cross a bridge over a cyclepath (once a railway). On the far side turn left through a gate to descend to the cyclepath, and then left again along this, passing back under the bridge. The cyclepath leads back towards Dumfries; keep straight on at the junction (with traffic lights). When the cycleway forks keep left and cross the road using the pelican crossing. Continue ahead on the cycleroute until another junction. At this point turn right - there is a cyclepath sign for the town centre and station but it is partly obscured by foilage. This soon emerges on Edinburgh Road. Turn left and follow the pavement beside this busy street, which soon becomes Academy Street.
The fine academy building - like many in Dumfries, constructed of red sandstone - is seen on the opposite side. Continue ahead as the road becomes Church Crescent and curves around Greyfriars Church. Here stands a fine statue of Robert Burns, marking one end of the High Street. Burns spent the last years of his life in Dumfries and died here; you can visit his house, a Burns centre, and his mausoleum. Continue the walk along the busy road which now becomes Buccleugh Street. This leads back to Buccleugh Bridge - the start of the walk is on the riverbank here on the left.
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