Walking St Cuthbert’s Way

Your introduction to the St Cuthbert’s Way begins in the pretty town of Melrose, located in the Eildon Hills. There are plenty of shops and restaurants for you to while away the afternoon before your overnight stay in our chosen hotel, the George and Abbotsford (or similar).

The first section begins at the splendid 12th century Melrose Abbey, where the heart of Robert the Bruce is buried. Walk up over the iconic Eildon Hills and take a break to view an incredible vista over the Scottish Borders, towards the Moorfoot and Lammermuir Hills and the mighty Cheviots to the south. Descending from there into the village of Bowden, the path leads on through farmland and woods to Newtown St. Boswells, along the banks of the river Tweed, past the Crystal Well into the village of Maxton. Now on an old Roman road, you will continue through the village passing Lady Lilliard’s Tomb, a well visited grave due to the legend of the lady said to have fought the English at the Battle of Ancrum. If you are not too tired, make a quick detour to climb up to the Waterloo Monument, a local landmark admired by Sir Walter Scott, before returning to the village for your overnight stay. Your hotel will be in Jedburgh and can be reached by taxi, booked and paid locally.

After a restful evening, the St Cuthbert’s Way is easily picked up again and at Monteviot House and leads you out to the countryside along the Monteviot Suspension Bridge. The path ventures through woodland and then farm paths to the rich agricultural land of Cessford and Cessford Castle, built in the 15th Century by the Kerrs, once notorious Border raiders and wardens of the Middle Marches, the castle was abandoned in 1650. Into the village of Morebattle, the route then takes you out along the ridge to Wideopen Hill, with stunning views over the border country on either side, this is the halfway point between Melrose and Holy Island. Continue walking on to Kirk Yetholm for your overnight stay at the Border Hotel (or similar).

Today the Way takes you along the final stretch of another walk, the Pennine Way, with a steep decent to
Halterburn around Green Humbleton, an ancient hill fort before reaching the border of Scotland and England. Following mostly grassy paths, you are now in the Northumberland National Park. Travelling on through Elsdonburn to Hethpool, the route takes you through woodland and along the Cheviot foothills, heading for Yeavering Bell, Northumberland’s largest Iron Age fort, covering some 12 acres. If you are lucky, you may see some of the wild Cheviot goats here before journeying on through the heather, over Gains Law, down to the small market town of Wooler for your overnight stay. Our hotel here is the Tankerville Arms Hotel (or similar).

A shorter day as the route takes you to Weetwood Moor, with its surprising collection of prehistoric rock art. Climbing over gentle moorland, crossing undulating farmland before visiting the overhanging rock, which is said to contain St Cuthbert’s cave, the place his disciples rested on the way to Alnwick. Continuing on through woodland and gently rising until the destination, Holy Island can be seen in the distance and with Bamburgh Castle to the south. It is easy to see why this is an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as the views are quite astounding. Here the trail again joins another, St. Oswald’s Way, before continuing through Shiellow Wood and the villages of Fenwick and Beal. Overnight hotel will be Lindisfarne Inn at Beal (or similar).

Continue to the coast for the last section of your walk on St Cuthbert’s Way. The path will take you past Fenwick Granary and some World War Two coastal defences, still in place. At low tide, you can choose which way to arrive at Lindisfarne, along the Causeway Road or by following the historic Pilgrims Path across the sands. Remembering to check the tide times is therefore most important! An important centre of the Christian faith since the 6th century AD, the Lindisfarne Monastery was founded in 635. The island has a population of 160, with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Overnight hotel will be Lindisfarne Inn at Beal (or on the island itself depending on availability).

Having completed the St Cuthbert’s Way, you may choose to extend your stay with an extra night on Holy Island or begin your journey home.