Towerburn Wood is a fascinating hidden gem with great historic interest, set in a shallow valley of a quiet corner of Jedburgh.

The wood was originally part of the Hartrigge estate and was used as a water source and for recreation. It was once owned by the Scottish Lord Chancellor and was indeed visited by no less a personage than Queen Victoria herself. She was visiting the area and recorded her time in the woods in her diary.

More recently an historic pathway has been expanded and improved to the benefit of the wood. Wooden steps climb the steeper slopes and duckboards cross small water courses.

Presumably, due to its connection with the larger estate, the wood supports an extremely unusual variety of broadleaf species; many of these are not normally seen in this part of the country. The valley rim supports several truly enormous beech and oak trees: a huge sweet chestnut was recently aged at around two hundred years. Smaller down the size scale are birch, elm, sycamore and lime with holly and hawthorn occupying the understory: a few large aspen frame the lower entrance. A carpet of daffodils lights the woodland floor in spring, only just preceded by numerous clumps of snowdrops.

Although essentially set in the valley of Tower Burn, the wood has several level areas that have been used for picnics, barbeques and camp fire stop overs. A small waterfall on the burn is a delight to behold and much frequented by resident dippers. Water features within a woodland are tremendously valuable resources for the inhabitant wildlife. Buzzards are regularly spotted above the canopy, while sparrow hawks hunt through the boughs and woodpeckers hammer industriously at standing dead wood.

Deer, badgers and hedgehogs are nocturnally active and time spent patiently watching will reap its reward in many a sighting.

The surrounding area is one immersed in the best of country life. At its centre is the nearby vibrant market town of Jedburgh, with good all-round facilities and many historic landmarks including the impressive 12th century Augustinian Abbey. Edinburgh and Newcastle are just over 60 minutes drive away.

Please note the small triangular area in the northeast corner of the wood is not included in the sale. This is indicated on the detail map and marked by a line of red-topped posts on the ground.

Access: The access is via a full right of way over the private road to the east of the wood. Maintenance of the track is a shared responsibility of all the users. The current cost of this is £15 per calender month. This leads to a gated hard standing suitable for car parking. A footpath leads onwards into the heart of the woods. In addition, two private wooden stiles give pedestrian access to the footpath off a quiet public road.

Sporting rights: These are owned and included with the land.

There is a growing interest in hut, bothy and temporary shelter building, especially in Scotland; for those interested in erecting a hut or shelter, here is some interesting and very helpful guidance from Reforesting Scotland’s Thousand Hut Campaign. Your Local Planning Authority should also be consulted.