Ashkirk: History and Walking Trails

If you choose Ashkirk as a destination, you’ll find a place with a long history and clear walking options. Its history stretches from a documented mention in 1116 to its connection with poet William H. Ogilvie; Ashkirk is also linked to two shorter stages of the Hawick–Selkirk walking section. When choosing a holiday rental, the main consideration is therefore what you’d like to focus on during your stay: local history, walking, or a combination of the two.

History of the Village, Church and Literature

The first documented mention of Ashkirk appears in the records of the Bishop of Glasgow in 1116. Ashkirk Church and the village of Ashkirk can trace their origins back almost 1,000 years. These details highlight different aspects: 1116 is an early written date, while the statement about origins dating back almost a thousand years refers to the church and village together. A documented mention and the origins of a place describe different historical perspectives.

The graveyard surrounding the Ashkirk Aisle contains gravestones, the oldest of which date from the late 17th century. These offer further traces of the past: the long history of the village and church and the datable gravestones provide different points of interest as you explore Ashkirk. The Aisle and graveyard thus complement the early written date with a tangible connection to local history.

Ashkirk was home to the poet William H. Ogilvie (1869–1963) for the last 45 years of his life. This connection adds a literary biography to the history of the village and church. If you enjoy bringing cultural history and personal stories together when you travel, Ashkirk offers another perspective: alongside the place’s long history is its connection to a poet who lived here during the final decades of his life.

Walking Stages Around Ashkirk

The Hawick–Selkirk walking section can be completed in two shorter stages: between Ashkirk and Hawick, and between Ashkirk and Selkirk. This lets you divide the section into shorter stretches and choose one of the two Ashkirk-linked stages for your plans. To reach the route, the recommendation is to take the bus to Ashkirk and then walk along the road to the route. Check current bus services before travelling, as transport options may change. If you plan to walk, also check current route conditions.

Borders Abbeys Way: Woodland and Waypoints

The Borders Abbeys Way is fully accessible to several types of users from Sunnybank to Salenside. There is an unlocked field gate beside each cattle grid. Check the Council’s latest notices before setting off, as access conditions may change. The route passes through the relatively large Ashkirk Forest conifer plantation and reaches Bishop’s Stone at 337 m, the highest point on the route. Whether Bishop’s Stone is visible depends on the weather; trail conditions may also vary by season. The woodland section and the highest point give you two different landmarks to consider when planning a day’s walk.

When looking for a holiday rental or holiday cottage in Ashkirk, you can base your choice on what you’d like to focus on during your stay. For an interest in cultural history, the village, Ashkirk Church, Aisle, graveyard and Ogilvie’s life story offer different themes; for active days, consider the two shorter stages of the Hawick–Selkirk walking section and the named points along the Borders Abbeys Way. If you’d like to combine both, plan the walking stage and time to explore Ashkirk’s history as separate parts of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Heriot, Newcastleton, Duns, Innerleithen, West Linton, Saint Boswells, Clovenfords, Cockburnspath.

For the broader travel overview: The Scottish Borders.