The Complete St Cuthbert’s Way

This small town is located in the Scottish Borders, very close to the border with England, between the River Tweed and the Eildon Hills. It is well known for Melrose Abbey, a former monastery founded by the monks of the Cistercian Order in 1136. Due to its architecture and because it is one of Scotland's best preserved ruins, it has become a tourist spot in this region. In addition, the abbey was the last residence of St. Cuthbert, the monk and bishop to which this route owes its name. Visit Trimontium, "Place of the Three Hills", a fort built by the Roman army in 80 AD. You can also visit one of its two gardens, Priorwood and its apple orchard with crops of historical varieties; and Harmony Gardens, Scotland's only walled garden of dried flowers.

Climb Eildon Hill, approximately 422 m, a hill with 3 peaks that is part of the national scenic area of Eildon and Leaderfoot. From this point, you will have beautiful views of the Tweed Valley. Descend to the village of St. Boswells, formerly called Lessuden. Its name changed due to the monk Boisil, famous for his healing power, who managed the village in the 7th century.  Near this village you can visit Dryburgh Abbey, founded in 1152 on the banks of the River Tweed, where the famous poet and writer Sir Walter Scott is buried. Just to the north, you can also visit Scott's View, a beautiful viewpoint above the Tweed Valley, the Scottish writer's inspiration. 

Today's route takes you along the River Tweed and several villages that are part of the Scottish Borders, one for nature lovers and with walking trails. Walk along the river path, past the Crystal Well, to the village of Maxton, and cross the battle site of Ancrum Moor to Monteviot House on the banks of the River Teviot. From Monteviot Bridge follow along Dere Street, a road built during the Roman Empire. Arrive in the Harestanes countryside, at the heart of the Scottish borders, a rural setting and visitor centre, ideal for relaxing, before moving to Jedburgh, where you will find your accommodation.

Before leaving the village of Jedburgh, visit its majestic 11th-century Abbey and then head west to the River Teviot, which crosses the town, and is a tributary of the River Tweed. Then, continue along the wide paths until you reach the small village of Crailinghall and Oxnam Water, another of the region's beautiful rivers. Later you will arrive in Cessford, a small hamlet characterized by having the ruins of 15th-century Cessford Castle. Follow the route to Morebattle, another small place, famous for its "Teapot Street", a name with which novelist and historian Sir Walter Scott baptized it when he saw women bring teapots to Kale Water for picnics. This hill is 368 m high and is part of the beautiful Cheviot Hills, a mountain range that frames the landscape of this area of Scotland. From its summit you will have incredible views of the valley and Yetholm Lake.

Leave Morebattle upwards along Grubbit Law Ridge, one of the hills in the Cheviot Hills, to the top of Wideopen Mountain at 268 m high, the highest point on Saint Cuthbert's Way. Look back and admire, across borders, views of the Eildon Hills and the front, those of Yetholm Lake. Descend the path that leads south through the Kale Water Valley until reaching the settlement of Kirk Yetholm, which was for centuries the seat of Romany gypsies in Scotland. Visit its two small villages: Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm, and the old 'Gypsy palace', right next to the private house at Kirk Yetholm Green.

Climbing from Halterburn around Green Humbleton, at 287 m, the first of many fortified villages along the Saint Cuthbert's Way, you will reach the border between Scotland and England. Deviate a little to Eccles Cairn and admire the views of the Borders and the Eildon Hills. Today you will visit a new country: England, as we enter the Cheviot Hills, part of the northern section of the extensive Northumberland National Park, home to varied flora and fauna, and an important point for bird watching. You will have several ascents and descents on the hills that are part of the park, finding beautiful views, such as the Bowmont Valley and the small surrounding communities. In the middle of the woods you will reach Hethpool Linn, an idyllic place with waterfalls.

Leave the small town of Wooler, also known as the "Gateway to the Cheviots" and take the path that takes you to Weetwood Moor, where on a detour, you will see prehistoric cave engravings. Descend into the River Till, and cross Weetwood Bridge, a 16th-century construction used by the English to battle at Flodden. The route continues amid forests and farmland to St. Cuthbert's Cave, where the monks went as they escaped the Danish invasion in 875. From the cave, on the rocky ridge of Kyloe Mountain, admire the views of Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle to the south. Take the trail that links with the long-distance St Oswald’s Way, and walk through the Shiellow Forest to the village of Fenwick.

Start the tour in Fenwick by choosing from 2 alternatives to reach the Holy Island of Lindisfarne: take the ferry, or head to the coast on historic trails and tracks, past the village of Fenwick Granary. Cross the main railway line, and cross the coastal defence lines from World War II.  If you opt for the second option, reach the elevated road at low tide, and continue to the island, or take the marked path for the historic Pilgrims' Way through the sands. Get to know Holy Island (or Lindisfarne), considered the holiest place in England for being important for the development of Christianity since the 6th century. There you can visit Lindisfarne Castle, one of the island's iconic buildings.

For your return, you should head to the city of Berwick-upon Tweed and take the train towards Edinburgh or Newcastle Airport. End of our services.