Walk St. Cuthbert’s Way

The Scottish Borders is a region steeped in tumultuous history, its castles, ruined abbeys and priories a testament to its violent past. This four- to seven-day self-guided walk along St. Cuthbert’s Way is the perfect introduction to this stunning historical landscape, famed for its sweeping vistas and the dramatic Holy Island causeway

The Scottish Borders region offers some of the most diverse scenery in Britain, with lochs, rivers and marshes, wooded hills and valleys and the spectacular coastline. It’s an area of rich cultural heritage too, with castles, towers, country houses and the renowned Border Abbeys of Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburgh. Centuries of strife and conflict have left an indelible mark on the landscape and its monuments. During Roman times, the Borders region was fought over for its strategic importance; later, it was a cradle of Christianity for Scotland and Northern England, hence the abundance of (often ransacked!) priories. And in the medieval period, the region was home to the infamous Border Reivers, fierce Anglo-Scottish raiders who gave us the words blackmail and bereaved!

St Cuthbert's Way is a long distance route through the Scottish borders region named after St Cuthbert, a 7th Century Saint from the Scottish borders associated with Melrose Abbey. This four- to seven-day self-guided walk is the ideal way to explore this intriguing region, its landscape, history and culture. Starting your journey at Melrose, spiritual birthplace of St. Cuthbert, you’ll head for the Eildon Hills with their commanding views of the local landscape. It’s then on to St. Boswells, where you’ll follow the banks of the River Tweed for a while, perhaps stopping in a riverside pub to try some of the famous local smoked salmon! At the charming village of Kirk Yetholm you’ll pass the northern end of the Pennines – ‘the spine of Britain’ - before heading on for Wooler, the Cheviots and the coast. The walk ends in unforgettable style: a pilgrimage across the sands at low tide to the enigmatic island of Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island. (It was here that St. Cuthbert, a hermit by nature, spent the last years of his life, studying the plants and animals of the island and engaging in quiet meditation.) St. Cuthbert’s Way is well marked, but if you want to make any side trips – to see the other abbeys, for example – you can; you’ll be supplied with a detailed map and comprehensive guidebook, with loads of information on the life and times of St. Cuthbert and the fascinating history of the Borders and Northumberland. Then at the end of a leisurely day’s walking you can relax and enjoy some fine dining in the hand-picked bed and breakfasts, country inns and guesthouses dotted along the path – your bags will be waiting for you when you arrive.

St. Cuthbert’s Way isn’t a particularly challenging walk – it’s fairly flat and very well signposted – but as for any hiking holiday you’ll need a good level of fitness and also some experience of hill walking. If it’s been a while since you’ve done regular exercise you might be better off trying a shorter walk first, perhaps two to three days. Then there’s the question of midges. Not really a problem when you’re walking and the breeze is blowing, but these small biting insects will probably hone on in you at some point, especially when you’re down near the Tweed or crossing onto Lindisfarne. For most it’s only a minor irritation, but if you really can’t tolerate itching then maybe the Borders in summer isn’t the place for you! The St. Cuthbert’s Way walk is best suited to lovers of historic landscapes where the past is writ large across every vista. Foodies will enjoy the trip too – the hotels and guesthouse where you’ll be staying have been carefully chosen for their excellent dining (their rooms aren’t bad either!). And if you like smoked salmon, you’ve come to the right place!