GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Whiteadder Reservoir

1 mile (1.6 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This walk visits the Whiteadder Reservoir in the Lammermuir Hills of East Lothian.
The picturesque and remote reservoir is a very peaceful place for a stroll with few visitors. At the south eastern end of the site there's good views of the dam and the Whiteadder River which feeds into the reservoir.
The area is great for wildlife spotting with Ospreys, Cuckoos, Barn Owls, Red Grouse and Adders to look out for too.
At the northern end you could also take a hike up to the ruins of Gamelshiel Castle which dates back to the 16th century.

Postcode

TD11 3SN - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Whiteadder Reservoir OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Whiteadder Reservoir Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head east to the coast and you can enjoy some wonderful scenery at St Abbs Head on the Berwickshire Coastal Path. Near here the Coldingham Bay to St Abbs and Coldingham Loch Walk will take you on to the pretty Coldingham Loch and into the village of the same name.
Just west of St Abbs Head you'll find the historic Fast Castle. The photogenic ruins of the 14th century structure are located in a fine spot on a rocky headland overlooking the sea.
To the north there's the popular Gullane to North Berwick Walk to try.
To the east there's Edin's Hall Broch. Here you can explore the historic remains of a 2nd century broch while enjoying some fine views over the area.

Photos

Whiteadder dam - geograph.org.uk - 1573641

Whiteadder dam. View across the top of the dam from Friar's Nose. The high dam was built in the 1960s to provide water for Berwickshire and East Lothian.

Spillway, Whitadder Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1567231

Spillway. A circular weir leading to a tunnel through the dam. The reservoir has had no trouble staying full in recent years. Taken on a brief sunny spell between two deluges.

Bank erosion, Whiteadder Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1303434

Bank erosion. West facing steep slope showing the effects of wave erosion. The small larch wood runs between the road and water and also carries a track to the dam.

Hungry Snout - geograph.org.uk - 1474890

Hungry Snout The Gifford - Preston road runs up a steep hill to cross a spur above the Whiteadder Reservoir. A good place to see barn owls hunting.

Whiteadder Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 2129675

Whiteadder Reservoir

The northern section of Whiteadder Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 619562

The view of the northern section of the reservoir as seen from the main road. A farm track can be seen next to the trees on the bank of the lake.

River Whiteadder - geograph.org.uk - 1243901

River Whiteadder. The Whiteadder emerges from the constrictions of its reservoir. The house to the right is just inside the Scottish Borders area, and the B6355 continues into East Lothian

The remains of Camelshiel Castle - geograph.org.uk - 2736779

The remains of Gamelshiel Castle

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Whiteadder Reservoir.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)