St Cuthbert's Way

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.