St Cuthbert's Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights
- Walk this historic trail through Northumberland and the Borders to the Holy Island
- Stay in picturesque Melrose with its impressive abbey
- Explore the fantastically situated Lindisfarne Castle and Priory
- Spend a night on Lindisfarne, Holy Island, after completing your walk
- Discover an abundance of history along the way
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Melrose and overnightArrive in Melrose a pretty market town in the Scottish Borders, with more than enough interesting sites to keep you happy for a few hours. Melrose Abbey is the centrepiece of the town and operated by Historic Scotland, while the Priorwood Walled Garden and Trimontium Exhibition are also worth a visit.
Fiorlin is a detached house of character set within its own walls in a quiet location near the town centre, tastefully decorated with a blue and white theme and natural wood finishes. The accommodation is self-contained, affording good privacy for guests. There is a sitting/dining room on the ground floor and en-suite double and twin/family bedrooms on the upper floor. The bedrooms have comfortable chairs, TV and a tea/coffee making facility.
Burts Hotel is a listed building and has been restored and extended to retain its original charm. The hotel has 20 en-suite rooms all equipped to the highest standard. Because your comfort and enjoyment comes first at Burt’s, each room has been individually decorated to make your stay restful and relaxing. The award-winning restaurant at Burt’s Hotel is one of Scotland’s finest. Here you can experience a truly gastronomic experience in elegant surroundings. The restaurant at Burt’s Hotel has been awarded two AA Rosettes every year since 1995.
This 18th century listed hotel is ideally situated on the High Street in Melrose, perfect for guests walking the St Cuthbert’s Way. You are assured the warmest of welcomes at this family run hotel. With 30 en suite bedrooms, a bar, a restaurant, and WiFi in public areas, you have everything you need to set you up ready for the walk ahead!
The day starts with a steep climb of the Eildon Hills, which is rewarded by fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. You may also choose to climb from the saddle to the summit at 422m if you are feeling energetic. From the saddle, the way drops steadily through Bowden and then along Bowden Burn to Newton St Boswells, which has refreshments available. Shortly after leaving the town, you re-join the River Tweed and follow it to St Boswells.
Leaving St Boswells, you follow the River Tweed once more before diverting away from it, just before the hamlet of Maxton. After a short section of minor road, you then join Dere Street, an ancient Roman Road before reaching Harestanes, where you will be met for your 15 minute transfer to Jedburgh.Â
Allerton House is a 4-star guest house located in the historic Royal Burgh of Jedburgh. They have six spacious, uniquely furnished bedrooms, each with its own character.
Built in 1653, Meadhon House is the oldest house in the Castlegate. Along with its other claims to fame, it was used by Bonnie Prince Charlie horses on his ill-fated ride south in 1745. All guest rooms are en-suite and have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay along with great views of the surrounding landscape.
Once a 19th Century Coaching Inn, The Royal Hotel is now a comfortable family run hotel in the centre of Jedburgh. They have 10 en-suite bedrooms all fitted with flat screen TVs and have tea and coffee making facilities.
After a short transfer from Jedburgh to Harestanes, begin the days walk by crossing the driveway of Monteviot House and the River Teviot. Passing the junction of the Teviot and Jed Water, you once again join Dere Street. As the road rises and falls in its determination to keep in a straight line, pleasant vistas of the Cheviots open up and your path now leads you to the remains of Cessford Castle.
From here to Morebattle the route allows the opportunity to study the flora and fauna of the area, including the lovely little purple flower, meadow cranesbill.
* Please note that if the accommodations in Morebattle are full you will spend the night in Kirk Yetholm (So this will be a total of 2 nights in Kirk Yetholm. The journey one-way takes 10 minutes) and these transfers between Kirk Yetholm and Morebattle will be included in the cost of your trip.
Templehall Hotel is family owned and run by a local couple who will welcome you in to this comfortable traditional Scottish Borders hotel. All rooms are en-suite and they have digital television, free wi-fi, tea and coffee making facilities. The cosy public bar serves good beers and a selection of malt whiskeys. Lunches and evening meals are served in the bar or dining room. Their chef's menu is freshly prepared using local produce where possible and includes a variety of daily specials and delicious homemade sweets.
Lyndsey and Scott would like to welcome you to the Border Hotel. They are a family run small hotel situated in Kirk Yetholm. They have five high quality newly refurbished en-suite bedrooms which have all the amenities you require for a great overnight stay. The Public Bar is open all day and offers a range of lagers including a selection of real ales. It is a true local bar with character and charm.
This award-winning bed and breakfast has outstanding views of the village of Kirk Yetholm and offers a very homely stay. All rooms are en-suite have all the amenities you require for a great overnight stay including small additional extras. They also have a large drawing room with balcony, which has free wifi and a large flat screen TV.
A footbridge over the Kale leads you to a day's walking through fields and over stiles, with fine views back over Morebattle framed by the Eildon Hills.
At this point comes one of the steepest climbs of the whole walk to the top of Wideopen Hill, with more spectacular views towards Yetholm and its loch. You descend into the valley of Bowmont Water and into Kirk Yetholm. Here, there are fine thatched cottages, reminders of its origins as a farm township, and it is also home to the north end of the Pennine Way, which starts in Edale in Derbyshire, some 270 miles away.
Lyndsey and Scott would like to welcome you to the Border Hotel. They are a family run small hotel situated in Kirk Yetholm. They have five high quality newly refurbished en-suite bedrooms which have all the amenities you require for a great overnight stay. The Public Bar is open all day and offers a range of lagers including a selection of real ales. It is a true local bar with character and charm.
Mother and daughter team, Sandi and Zoe Keddie offer you a warm welcome to the Plough Hotel. It is in the middle of the village, makes it the natural centre of social life and offers such comforts as, real ales and top quality home cooking.
This award-winning bed and breakfast has outstanding views of the village of Kirk Yetholm and offers a very homely stay. All rooms are en-suite have all the amenities you require for a great overnight stay including small additional extras. They also have a large drawing room with balcony, which has free wifi and a large flat screen TV.
As well as crossing the border into England, today traverse the Cheviots which means negotiating some ups and downs as you travel east to Wooler. You will be walking atop the hills for much of the day and this means more great views. You will pass by Yeavering Bell, just to the left of the path. It is Northumberland’s largest hill fort, covering an area of over 5 hectares and said to have been one of the tribal strongholds of the Votadini, who inhabited this area in Roman times.
The Old Mill is a detached three-storey house located on the edge of Wooler. Carefully converted, this property has plenty of charm and character and offers spacious, well equipped accommodation.
The Tankerville Arms is a privately run 17 bedroom hotel on the outskirts of the beautiful town of Wooler in North Northumberland. Owned and ran by the family for 30 years, who pride themselves on friendly, helpful and welcoming reception. All rooms are ensuite and have TV, tea/coffee making facilities and WIFI.
The Black Bull Inn is a 17th Century Coaching Inn standing in the main street of Wooler. It still retains much of its original character and is situated in one of the most picturesque parts of Northumberland. The inn is fully licensed and serves good homemade food every lunchtime and evening in the restaurant or in the bar areas. All rooms have en-suite facilities. The bedrooms have hairdryers, tea and coffee making facilities and TV.
Wooler is the largest town in the Cheviot Hills area. It was founded in the 12th century and has been a market town since the 13th century. It still has one of the most important livestock markets in northeast England. Today brings you closer to the coast as you enjoy a pleasant mix of farmland and forest. Follow quiet trails through Weetwood Moor, part of which lies between the nearby hills and the coastal plain. Cross Weetwood Bridge and the 18th century Weetwood Hall, then continue on to Fenwick or Beal.
*Depending on your overnight accommodation you will be staying in either Fenwick or Beal. Beal is slightly closer to the coast and adds roughly 4.5km onto your day (making it 24.5km). As a result, the next day to Holy Island is slightly shorter as you will be closer. If you would prefer a taxi transfer from Fenwick to Beal (optional, at an additional cost), please let us know in advance so this can be organised.
Situated at Aidanfield, a detached house on the edge of the village, and set in its own private grounds with spectacular views of the coastline, Holy Island and rolling countryside.
The 21 modern, lodge-style en-suite rooms located in the inn's former stable block alongside the main building. All are double glazed with central heating and have colour TVs and a well-stocked tea and coffee tray. Following a restful night you will surely enjoy the full Northumberland breakfast. Wi-Fi is accessible in the main bar. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings after a day’s walking!
This section is said to be one of the most spectacular along the way. The scenery is unique and although you follow the road for most of the way to Holy Island, the changing vistas and abundant birdlife will keep you occupied. This area is popular with wading birds because of the variety of food on Lindisfarne's mudflats. Keep your eyes peeled for Godwits, Oystercatchers, Lapwings, Curlews and Redshanks.Â
Holy Island is one of Europe’s most famous Christian places and it has a wealth of sites that relate to its eventful history. St Cuthbert’s name and life inspired the building of the Lindisfarne Priory which began in about 1120. There is also a castle which was ordered to be built by Henry VIII as Holy Island held great strategic importance centuries ago.
*Depending on your overnight accommodation you will be setting off from either Fenwick or Beal. Beal is slightly closer to the coast and therefore today's route will be slightly shorter if you are leaving from here (7km).
You will be guaranteed a warm welcome when you check in at the Manor House Hotel! They have ten bedrooms which all include tea and coffee making facilities, digital TV and are en-suite (with the exception of our single room.) Their recently refurbished Island Bar is open throughout the day for tea and coffee, or for those who fancy a tipple or two they serve an array of wines, spirits and beers including the locally produced Lindisfarne mead. The restaurant and garden are also open daily to both residents and non-residents for lunch and dinner; whenever possible their dishes are prepared from seasonal and local produce.
The Lindisfarne Hotel was built in 1902 and has been fully modernised with 8 refurbished en-suite rooms, which have all the amenities that you require for a comfortable night’s stay. They also have a guest lounge and dining room, patio and grassed garden area for those warm summer evenings.
Formerly called the Northumberland Arms it was during 1995 that a major renovation programme was undertaken and the business was renamed as The Ship Inn, although the Islanders still affectionately refer to the pub as "The Tavern". The Ship Inn is now proud of being awarded a 4 star hotel rating by the English Tourist Council. All rooms are en-suite with hospitality tray, providing tea, coffee, herbal drinks, bedside radio/alarm, television and hair dryers. The Ship Inn has a great reputation for the food and drink that it serves. They offer a wide variety of ales, beers, wines and spirits and each meal is cooked using local fresh ingredients.
After breakfast your walking holiday will come to an end. See the Travel Info section for some useful details for your onward travel. Â
This trip has a carbon score of 11kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 11kg is equivalent to 2 Neapolitan margherita pizzas. Buon appetito!. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?The St Cuthbert’s Way is a glorious walk through the Scotland Borders and the North East of England. If you are a budding historian then the many sites of interest that are scattered along the route will appeal greatly. Pass through memorable and serene rural landscapes as you walk.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This trip is graded from easy to moderate to moderate, depending on which itinerary you choose. The trail follows well maintained footpaths, bridleways, open fields and some minor roads. It does involve some relatively steep ascent and descent from the escarpment and days of up to 18 miles walking.
One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of accommodation. We specifically choose the hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&B’s to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food.
Single Rooms
This independent walking holiday is available to solo walkers but as all our holidays are priced per person based on two sharing, there is a single supplement payable to cover the additional costs we incur. If you require single rooms within your party we will, of course, try to accommodate your request subject to availability. Please note, that singles may not be of the same standard as twins.
Meals
A hearty breakfast is included each morning, while lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Your accommodation will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Alternatively, the Macs Adventure App will point out any recommended lunch spots along the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs and restaurants. We would recommend making a dinner reservation in advance for your night on Holy Island.
The route is well-waymarked throughout and easy to follow. Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.
Recommended Reading
If you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:
- St Cuthbert's Way from Melrose to Lindisfarne (Rucksack Reader)
- Overnight in hand-picked B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels
- Breakfast each morning
- Baggage transfers
- Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office
- Travel to Melrose / from Lindisfarne
- Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance (required)
- Additional nights along the route
This trip is available from April to September to start on any day of the week. Traditionally, April and May have been the most popular time of the year to walk the route, as the theory goes that the weather is better. However, in our opinion, anywhere between April and September should offer a wonderful experience.
Please note:Â
In mid-June each year the Borders Book Festival takes place, the area is very busy and there will be a lack of availability, please avoid booking over these dates if possible.Â
By Air: Edinburgh and Newcastle airports are the closest options. Onward travel is by rail and /or coach.
By Coach: Melrose and Jedburgh are both served by National Express as well as Berwick-upon-Tweed.
By Rail: Tweedbank is the main line station used to connect by bus on to Melrose. Tweedbank station is just an 8 minute bus journey from Melrose.
By Road: We generally recommend using public transport as parking is generally not available in Melrose.
By Air:Â Edinburgh and Newcastle airports are the closest options. Travel by rail and/or coach from Berwick-upon Tweed.
By Coach:Â For most services you will need to get to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Please note that bus services are limited and a taxi may be required on certain days to reach Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
By Rail:Â You will need to get to Berwick-upon-Tweed for connections to Edinburgh & Newcastle. By Taxi: There is a local taxi service which provides the most convenient way to transfer to Berwick-upon-Tweed and further a field.
Please visit Traveline for further information.
Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation each day. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase.  Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person.  It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
Online Documents
At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.
On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
We offer a range of itineraries so you can choose your preferred daily distance so hopefully, you will find an itinerary that suits your preferred level of activity. If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardiovascular exercise for at least 6 months prior to your walk. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as St Cuthberts Way is extremely popular especially over April/May and July/August. You will find up to date availability on our availability and dates tab and we will always try and accommodate your plans.
You will need good walking shoes (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack as well as sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. This route involves a few climbs where you may find it useful to have your walking poles. We recommend bringing windproof clothing to make it easier to progress.
This trip is available from April to September to start on any day of the week. Traditionally, April and May have been the most popular time of the year to walk the route, as the theory goes that the weather is better. However, in our opinion, anywhere between April and September should offer a wonderful experience.
When visiting Holy Island, we recommend you check the tidal chart for the day you pass the causeway over to Holy Island. You should also make sure to check when it is safe to cross the last day. Check out the safe tide crossings here.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.
You can use public transport or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop. In an emergency please contact the office or the B&Bs if you need assistance.
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Why Macs
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At Macs, we don’t do tour buses, groups, or guides. Instead, we give you the freedom and confidence to have your own self-guided hiking or biking adventure.
This is active travel led by you.
You choose your departure date and who you travel with, we do the rest.
We sort accommodation and luggage transfers and provide your route in an easy-to-use app.
We give you everything you need to travel independently but we're here 24/7 if you need us.
Getting from A to B under your own steam is intensely rewarding. With Macs, you'll see the world, and yourself, differently.