Day 1: Arrive Melrose

Melrose is easily reached from Edinburgh or Berwick upon Tweed— each with mainline railway stations. There are frequent buses from Edinburgh (approx 1hrs 45mins) and Berwick (approx 1hr 20mins).  For those arriving by car, there are numerous parking areas. 

Overnight: Melrose

Melrose sits at the foot of the Eildon Hills—a sacred site for the early Celts and full of magic. The impressive Melrose Abbey is the final resting place of Sir Walter Scott and the burial site of the heart of Robert the Bruce.

Day 2: Melrose to Kelso

If you are hiring a bike, it will be delivered to your accommodation shortly after breakfast.

Your first day in the saddle is a gentle one and leaves enough time to visit Melrose Abbey if you didn’t manage to see it the day before. You then have two options to get to the nearby Dryburgh Abbey. The easier route follows the Tweed Valley Cycleway by the side of the river, going via ‘Scott's View ‘ of the Eildon Hills. Alternatively you can cycle the short hill to ‘The Rhymers Stone’, a site rich in folklore before dropping back down to Dryburgh.

On leaving the abbey follow the Tweed Valley Cycleway for 4 miles before turning off onto a minor road, past Floors Castle, which demands a visit. Shortly after the castle you’ll enter the attractive market town of Kelso, your stop for the night. 

Overnight : Kelso

Kelso Abbey—the largest abbey in the Borders: established in the 12th century, completed in the 13th century, the venue for the crowning of two Kings and suffering many attempts to destroy it in the 16th century, the spectacular northern facade still stands.  The attractive cobbled market square is reminiscent of European counterparts and the town boasts several good restaurants and pubs.

Day 3: Kelso to Jedburgh

After breakfast you head south, following the Teviot river past the remains of Roxbugh Castle crossing the Teviot at Kalemouth Bridge. Teviot Water Gardens offer a great excuse to stop for some refreshments. A couple of gradual ascents reward you with views of the Cheviot Hills to the south east. The days cycling ends with a descent through woodland into Jedburgh. 

Overnight: Jedburgh

Mary Queen of Scots stayed here, the town was a favourite of William Wordsworth and was visited on more than one occasion by Queen Victoria - Jedburgh has a wealth of history to explore.  Jedburgh Abbey deserves a visit, as one of most impressive Borders Abbeys it has hidden a wealth of treasures until recent excavations unearthed them. 

Day 4: Jedburgh to Melrose

Today you complete the circuit. The route from Jedburgh takes you alongside Jed Water, up gentle gradients to Mounthooly, with a refreshment stop if you need it. Heading through Nisbet, past the Waterloo Monument and Monteviot house Gardens you’ll reach Ancrum —a good place to stock up on provisions should you wish to picnic later on.

At  Bewlie you have two choices—a direct route along a track fording the Ale Water (a footbridge is open) or bypassing this, a slight diversion of about 2.5 miles. Crossing the main road you climb to Bowdenfoot Reservoir. Enjoy the views towards the Eildon hills in the west before a twisting descent through woods brings you back to Melrose. 

Once your bike is collected you are free to appreciate your efforts with a final night in Melrose, some fresh local food and perhaps a congratulatory drink.

Overnight: Melrose

Day 5: Onward travel

When breakfast  is over you can either head home or explore more of the Borders. 

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