Adventourus Active Vacations

8 day Independent tour

Nearly 1400 years ago the Celtic monk, St Cuthbert, began preaching Christianity at Melrose, the start of this walk. His travels lead him across southern Scotland and Northern England to end on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, now famous for its illustrated Celtic Bible, a major work of devotional art. It is on this island, with its castle and abbey remains, and linked to the mainland by a tidal causeway, that our walk ends.

This is a walk through the splendid and varied scenery of the Scottish Borders, the Cheviot Hills and the River Tweed. It is also a walk with long and strong historical associations, following in part the Roman road known as Dere Street, passing medieval abbeys at Dryburgh and Jedburgh and bringing to mind the Viking raids on Lindisfarne Abbey, so vulnerable on its island location. Along the way you will be comfortably accommodated in villages tucked away under the hills and ancient border towns.

Collect your route kit and maps at your hotel upon check-in.

On leaving Melrose the walk leads you over the Eildon Hills to the attractive village of Bowden. From here you continue to join the banks of the River Tweed near Dryburgh Abbey and follow it through St Boswell's and as far as Maxton. You then follow the course of the roman Dere Street most of the way to Harestanes. ~ 15 miles

Day 3: Harestanes - Morebattle (16 km)

After crossing the River Teviot you once again follow Dere Street. After leaving the Roman road near Crailinghall, the route to Morebattle takes you through farmland and past the ruins of Cessford Castle. ~ 10 miles

A short day today takes you up out of Morebattle onto Wideopen Hill. The climb is steep in places but at the summit you are rewarded with fabulous views. Beyond the summit the path takes you down the ridge and on into the twin villages of Town and Kirk Yetholm. ~ 7 miles

Soon after leaving Kirk Yetholm you cross from Scotland into England. This is a hilly section as you pass through the Cheviot Hills, crossing the College Valley at Hethpool, before passing between the summits of Easter Tor and Yeavering Bell. The day ends by way of Coldberry Hill, which leads you into the market town of Wooler. ~ 13 miles

The walk takes you out of Wooler over Weetwood Moor, where there are numerous prehistoric remains notably cup-and-ring marked stones. Further on you reach St Cuthbert's Cave, a dramatic sandstone overhang where the saint's body is said to have been taken by the monks in AD875, to escape from the Viking raids on Lindisfarne. The route then takes you through Shiellow Wood to Fenwick. ~ 10 miles

The last day's mileage is deliberately short as it is the tides that govern your arrival time on Holy Island rather than the speed you walk. The causeway is flooded by the sea for 5 hour periods over high tide - but we inform you of the times in advance! Once on Holy Island there is plenty to see, notably the Priory, inspired by St Cuthbert, and the castle, built on the orders of King Henry VIII. ~ 7 miles

After breakfast your tour comes to an end, and you may begin your journey home. We would also be more than happy to extend your stay in Europe.

PRICE & DETAILS

Price & Schedule

DEPARTURE DATES:

Daily from mid-April to mid-October

- 7 nights with breakfast in typical English guesthouses of high standard, with shower or bath and toilet

- Well marked route

- Detailed route-book, maps, points of interest, important phone numbers

- Luggage transfer from guesthouse to guesthouse

- Emergency service hotline

EASY: Some very low hills but nothing difficult.You walk on public footpaths, crossing farm land, villages and sometimes even private gardens. Suitable for anyone.