Davidson's Linn

If you asked me for three favourite things to do on a wander out it would be:

1. Have a cracking long hike, ideally up some hills
2. Find a new fabulous place
3. Have it so remote that no one else is around for miles

Well Davidson's Linn ticks all those boxes! I had seen pictures about this smashing waterfall all over Facebook, but as it's near the border it's a bit of a journey to get to. I guess that makes it even more special to find.

As I approached Davidson's Linn I saw this huge waterfall cascading down the side of what looks like a massive boulder, but as I had mooch around I spied there is a second hidden waterfall to its left that can only be seen if you cross over the burn.

Davidson's Linn is a cascade on the Usway Burn which gets its source from lots of little burns high up on Cairn Hill including Shedding Syke, Coldwell Strand, Davidson's Burn and my favourite Buttroads Sike!

There is no clear information about hall tall Davidson's Linn waterfall is, but standing next to it, the main fall is probably 4-5 metres, but there are some little cascades just above it too.

Now to visit this one might look straightforward as there are plenty of paths to it from the Salter's Road in the east and Hazely Law in the west. However there is an issue to be made aware of.

Davidson's Linn lives in an opening in a forest so is surrounded by rather large, dense trees. Storm Arwen devastated this area so quite a few of the paths approaching through the forest are still inaccessible. I didn't want to take any chances heading through the forest area, so my plan was to stay on open land all the way.

So starting from Wedder Leap car park I skirted Kyloe Shin, then straight over Middle Hill and The Middle until I was at the foot of Hazely Law. Then following the main track I headed east to Uswayford until I came to this little footbridge.

Immediately after the bridge there is a style on the left (pretty much attached to the bridge) and I headed over that to keep on the permissive path.

Right where the river splits at the Usway Burn and Clay Burn, the map wanted to take me north east and away from the burn. There also seemed a path directly north, but that would take me into the forest. Instead I follow a faint track through the grass and bracken that hugs the Usway Burn.

The path can be a little precarious in parts, sloping down towards the burn and I did slip on the wet grass a few times. But then just a bit further along I get my first sighting of Davidson's Linn in the distance.

Now the next task was, how do I get across the Usway Burn to the other side to get more photos and find the second little waterfall. On heading further down the side of the fall to check out the upper cascades I was pleased to find another little footbridge.

I sit down for a while at the base of the waterfall in the little island between the two falls and have my usual snack of Fruity Malt and contemplate the next part of the route which is up to Windy Gyle. I decided not to risk any of the forest tracks and so headed back the way I came, then up Hazely Law to the border ridge.

The walk to Davidson's Linn is 7km from the car park, but obviously you have to walk back to. On top of that you have a bit of a drive from Alwinton to get to Wedder Leap car park.

Open On OS Maps

It was a cracking waterfall to visit and one that I have wanting to find for ages. But walking boots are a must and you must be comfortable and prepared for walking in The Cheviots.