John Buchan Way

The John Buchan Way is 46.43 km long with 1,270 m of climbing, so most walkers treat it as a 2-day route. Strong walkers can cover it in a long day, but splitting it into stages between Peebles and Broughton makes the distance and elevation much more manageable.

The John Buchan Way links Peebles and Broughton in the Scottish Borders. Common start and finish points are in Peebles and the village of Broughton, and the route passes places including Stobo and the old Lyne Station area on its way through the Tweed Valley countryside.

The John Buchan Way is generally graded easy, but it still covers 46.43 km and climbs 1,270 m in total. That means the walking is usually straightforward rather than technical, though the full route still demands decent fitness, especially on the hillier sections near Cademuir and the higher ground above Stobo.

Yes. The route works well as a linear walk because Peebles and Broughton are linked by Scottish Borders Council service 91, which stops at Peebles Eastgate Post Office, Lyne Station, Stobo Village Hall, Drumelzier, and Broughton Primary School. That makes it practical to leave a car at one end or return after a stage walk.

Peebles is usually the easier end for parking because it is a larger town with public parking and transport connections. Broughton is a much smaller village, so parking is more limited and it is better suited to a drop-off, pickup, or bus-linked start rather than assuming there will be extensive trailhead parking.

Named landmarks associated with the John Buchan Way include Cademuir Hill, Stobo Kirk, the old Lyne Station area, and the John Buchan Centre in Broughton. The route also crosses attractive hill and moorland country above Stobo, with sections on old drove roads and broad views over the Borders landscape.