St Cuthbert’s Way

The picturesque town of Melrose is located surrounded by the triple peaks of the Eildon Hills and is the birthplace of Melrose Rugby Sevens. It is a quaint border town with a vibrant high street, offering a wide variety of distinctive shops, restaurants and bars. A casket believed to contain the heart of Robert the Bruce was marked by a re-burial ceremony and commemorative stone tablet in the grounds of the ruined Melrose Abbey, which dates from 1136. The area around Melrose has been inhabited for thousands of years. In AD 79 the Roman army built a major fort nearby named Trimontium, ‘Place of the Three Hills’. A signal station was built on the summit of the Eildon Hill North and the Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre now houses the Trimontium Museum which is dedicated to Roman life in Scotland. Around 3 miles west of on the banks of the Tweed is Sir Walter Scott’s romantic mansion of Abbotsford. Overnight in Melrose.

Start at the gates of the magnificent 12th century Melrose Abbey and walk up over the iconic Eildon Hills for one of the best views in the Scottish Borders: Melrose, the Moorfoot and Lammermuir Hills and the mighty Cheviots to the south! The route then descends to the village of Bowden, before gently winding through farmland and woods to Newtown St. Boswells. Following the banks of the River Tweed, with secluded views to Dryburgh Abbey into St. Boswells and continues alongside the Tweed past the Crystal Well into the village of Maxton. Maxton is rated by many walkers as one of their favourites on the whole route. Walking south from Maxton along Dere Street, you will be following in the footsteps of the Romans who built the original road, then passing Lady Lilliard’s Tomb. It is suggested that you make a quick detour to climb up to the Waterloo Monument, a local landmark admired by Sir Walter Scott, from his favourite viewpoint above Dryburgh. Overnight Harestanes.

Depart Harestanes by crossing the Monteviot Suspension Bridge, just below Monteviot House, along the banks of the River Teviot to Jedfoot to rejoin Dere Street. Approaching Jedburgh the route branches off through woodland and then south-east on farm paths and tracks through rich agricultural land to Cessford and Cessford Castle, once the stronghold of the Kerrs a great place to explore some of the Border’s rich history. Take the opportunity to restock supplies for the journey at the village of Morebattle. Then start climbing via Grubbit Law, along the ridge to Wideopen Hill. At 400m, Wideopen Hill is the highest point on St. Cuthbert’s Way and the halfway point from Melrose to Holy Island. Remember to look back and take in the view of the Eildon Hills before walking on to Kirk Yetholm. Overnight Kirk Yetholm.

The next section of St. Cuthbert’s Way coincides with the final stretch of the Pennine Way. Climbing up from Halterburn around Green Humbleton (287m), one of many hill forts along St. Cuthbert’s Way, you will reach the border of Scotland and England, before crossing into dramatic Northumberland National Park. The Way then drops back down via Elsdonburn to Hethpool and onwards through woodland and a good track along the Cheviot foothills, heading for Yeavering Bell (361m), Northumberland’s largest Iron Age fort. A lovely path leads through the heather, over Gains Law, down to the small market town of Wooler and back to civilisation. Overnight Wooler.

From Wooler, the St Cuthbert’s Way transcends over Weetwood Moor before dropping back down to cross the River Till, via the 16thCentury Weetwood Bridge. Secluded, quiet lanes lead to Horton before encountering a section of typically dead-straight Roman road: the Devil’s Causeway, which once linked Corbridge and Tweedmouth. Farmland and woodland tracks lead up to St. Cuthbert’s Cave, where monks took St. Cuthbert’s body in 875AD, as they fled from Viking raids on Lindisfarne. Above the cave on the rocky ridge of the Kyloe Hills, the first views of Holy Island become visible, with Bamburgh Castle to the south. This part of the Northumberland coast has been designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. St. Cuthbert’s Way joins here with St. Oswald’s Way, another long distance route, following an enjoyable track through Shiellow Wood towards the village of Fenwick. Overnight Fenwick.

The final section of the St. Cuthbert’s Way heads to the coast along historic paths and tracks, passing Fenwick Granary before crossing the main East Coast railway line between Edinburgh and London, Beal Cast Burn and the remnants of World War 2 coastal defences. Ensure you check tide times before setting off and aim to reach the Causeway at low tide in order to cross to Lindisfarne, by taking the Causeway Road across to Holy Island or by following the posts of the historic Pilgrims Path across the sands. Overnight Holy Isle.

Congratulations - you have completed the St Cuthbert's Way! Taxi transfer is available to Melrose for return car pick up (if required) or to Berwick-on-Tweed for train journey north to Edinburgh or south for Newcastle or all stops to London.