St
Cuthbert's Way links a number of places associated with the
story of a 7th century saint who travelled widely on foot through
Scotland and northern England spreading the Gospel and performing
healing miracles. Beginning at Melrose in the Scottish Borders where
the saint started his ministry and ending at Holy Island in England
where he ended his days, the trail passes through scenery of great
variety and beauty.
From Melrose, a lovely Borders town with a magnificent 12th century
Cistercian abbey, St Cuthbert's Way heads over the heather-clad
Eildon Hills, with far-reaching views over the border country, to
the neat little village of Bowden. After following the banks of
the River Tweed past the picturesque ruin of Dryburgh Abbey and
the village of St Boswells the trail leaves the river and follows
the old Roman ‘road' of Dere Street to cross the River
Teviot near Jedburgh, an attractive borders town with another magnificent
abbey.
Passing
Cessford Castle, an imposing fortified tower built by an infamous
border reiver, the route continues to Kirk Yetholm sitting snugly
at the foot of the Cheviot Hills. Then it passes through the
wild and remote Cheviot Hills to the little market town of Wooler.
After visiting St Cuthbert's Cave on a ridge overlooking
the coast, where the saint's body was hidden when the
monks of Lindisfarne fled to escape the Vikings, the trail descends
to cross the tidal causeway onto the beautiful Holy Island of
Lindisfarne with its ruined abbey and spectacular castle.
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Melrose
Abbey © Britain on View
View
towards the Cheviots from Kyloe © Britain on View
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