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DATES FOR 2002: - 16 June
- 14 July
- 8 September
(5 days walking, 6
nights)
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The romantic region of the Scotish Borders holds fast to the memories of some of Scotland's most renowned heroes. Freedom fighters William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, the tragic figure of Mary Queen of Scots and the literary giant Sir Walter Scott
It is also a region of unspoilt beauty where the River tweed meanders through the lovely hills of the Southern Uplands and where fortified towers and ruined abbeys stand as evidence to a turbulent past
Day One
Independent arrival in the Borders.
Overnight Melrose
Day Two
Set out from Bowden, a village of white cottages and make the gentle climb up through the woodland and heather of the Eildon Hills. Descend into Melrose and visit the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey where the heart of Robert the Bruce is buried. End the day at Abbotsford, the writer Sir Walter Scott's baronial home, brimming with memorabilia, manuscripts and furnishings.
Overnight Melrose
Day Three
Walk from Smaillholm Tower a good example of a Border peel tower and walk down to Mertoun Gardens. Discover the Duke of Sutherland's traditional walled kitchen garden, dovecote and fruit-tree filled glass houses. Follow the river Tweed to Dryburgh Abbey and then on to the freedom fighter William Wallace's statue.
| 6 1/2 miles, 4 hours plus walk in Mertoun Gardens |
Overnight Melrose
Day Four
Drive to Eyemouth, a busy fishing port and walk along the coast to Coldingham Bay. Continue your walk along the spectacular cliffs of St. Abb's Head, a National Nature Reserve, and nesting place for seabirds such as guillemots, razorbills, puffins, fulmars and gulls and a natural wild flower nursery.
Overnight Melrose
Day Five
Drive to Peebles and walk along the River Tweed passing Neidpath Castle a 14th Century tower house dramatically situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Tweed . Climb gently into the hills above the town before descending through the woods to complete this circular walk.
Transfer to Innerleithen a small woollen textile town famous for the medicinal properties of a mineral spring which was popularised by Sir Walter Scott in 'St. Ronan's Well'. Continue through woodland walks to Traquair where the family has lived since the 15th Century. See the priest's hole, Jacobite glass and embroidery bed hangings said to be from the hand of Mary Queen of Scots.
| 5 miles plus 2 1/2 miles, 3 1/2 hours plus stops and visits |
Overnight Melrose
Day Six
A visit to Jedburgh, set in the fertile Teviot Valley with the Cheviot Hills in the Distance, with its connections with Bonnie Prince Charlie, Mary Queen of Scots, and Sir Walter Scott. The Roman Dere Street now forming part of the St. Cuthbert's Way long distance path passes the town. The following walk with panoramic views of the area descends to Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm. The Pennine Way long distance walk ends here.
| 6 miles, 3-4 hours plus stops |
Overnight Melrose
Day Seven
Depart after a leisurely breakfast.
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