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St Cuthbert's Way

St Cuthbert's Way

A self-guided walking holiday celebrating the many historic sites associated with St Cuthbert.

5 to 8 nights
64 miles
Moderate to Demanding

From £673 per person

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About this route

5 to 8 nights
64 miles
Moderate to Demanding
2nd January to 24th December
Includes Dog-Friendly Tours

From £673 per person

St Cuthbert's Way

Art of St Cuthbert's symbol on St Cuthbert's Way.

St Cuthbert's Way follows the story of a 7th century saint who travelled through Scotland and northern England, spreading the Gospel and performing healing miracles. Beginning at Melrose, where the saint started his ministry, and ending at Holy Island, where he ended his days, the trail passes through scenery of great variety and beauty.

The walk takes in heather-clad hills, tranquil riverbanks and old Roman roads, visiting attractive villages and border towns along the way. Particular sites of interest include the ruin of Dryburgh Abbey, Cessford Castle, St Cuthbert's Cave and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, complete with its ruined abbey and spectacular castle.

Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays St Cuthbert's Way map
Melrose to Lindisfarne
64 miles (102 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Exploring the attractive borders towns of Melrose, Bowden and Jedburgh.

Admiring far-reaching views over the border country from the slopes of the Eildon Hills.

Spending the night on the tranquil Holy Island, with its 16th century Lindisfarne Castle and Priory, home to the Lindisfarne Gospels.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
CUTH0 From Melrose to Holy Island 5 nights, 4 days walking Demanding £673
CUTH1 From Melrose to Holy Island 6 nights, 5 days walking Moderate / Demanding £881
CUTH2 From Melrose to Holy Island 7 nights, 6 days walking Moderate / Demanding £938
CUTH3 From Melrose to Holy Island 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate £1070
"Garlic Woodland from Melrose to Harestanes" by Anne Swindell (2025) "Garlic Woodland from Melrose to Harestanes" by Anne Swindell (2025)
"Wide Open Views from Morebattle to Kirk Yetholm" by Anne Swindell (2025) "Wide Open Views from Morebattle to Kirk Yetholm" by Anne Swindell (2025)
"The Pilgrim's Route to the Island" by John Sands (2023) "The Pilgrim's Route to the Island" by John Sands (2023)
"On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023) "On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023)
"On Wideopen Hill" by Jim Minot (2023) "On Wideopen Hill" by Jim Minot (2023)
"On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023) "On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023)
"Walking along the River Tweed" by Woodie Muirhead (2022) "Walking along the River Tweed" by Woodie Muirhead (2022)
"Lindisfarne Castle" by Judy Richonne (2022) "Lindisfarne Castle" by Judy Richonne (2022)
"Lindisfarne Priory" by Judy Richonne (2022) "Lindisfarne Priory" by Judy Richonne (2022)
"Boat Shed on Lindisfarne" by Tania Rideout (2020) "Boat Shed on Lindisfarne" by Tania Rideout (2020)
"Resting at the Halfway Point" by Tania Rideout (2020) "Resting at the Halfway Point" by Tania Rideout (2020)
Wall Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler
Wall Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019) Wall Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019)
"Viewpoint Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019) "Viewpoint Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019)
"Border Sign Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019) "Border Sign Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019)
"On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019) "On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"From Harestanes to Morebattle" by Nicole Neal (2019) "From Harestanes to Morebattle" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019) "On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"From Melrose to Harestanes" by Nicole Neal (2019) "From Melrose to Harestanes" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"Melrose Abbey" by Desmond Maltby (2017) "Melrose Abbey" by Desmond Maltby (2017)
"St Cuthberts Cave" by Desmond Maltby (2017) "St Cuthberts Cave" by Desmond Maltby (2017)
"River Tweed" by Desmond Maltby (2017) "River Tweed" by Desmond Maltby (2017)
"Preparing to Cross the Border" by Sheila Maltby (2017) "Preparing to Cross the Border" by Sheila Maltby (2017)
"From Kirk Yetholm to Wooler" by Paul Brown (2017) "From Kirk Yetholm to Wooler" by Paul Brown (2017)
"From Jedburgh to Kirk Yetholm" by Paul Brown (2017) "From Jedburgh to Kirk Yetholm" by Paul Brown (2017)
"Looking down from Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017) "Looking down from Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017)
"Atop Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017) "Atop Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017)
"Cowbeg" by Contours Holidays (2016) "Cowbeg" by Contours Holidays (2016)
"Rape Fields near Cessford" by Steven McDonough (2012) "Rape Fields near Cessford" by Steven McDonough (2012)
"Jedburgh Abbey" by Contours Holidays (2016) "Jedburgh Abbey" by Contours Holidays (2016)
"Hethpool" by Contours Holidays (2016) "Hethpool" by Contours Holidays (2016)
"Descending from Weetwood Common to Weetwood Bridge" by Contours Holidays (2012) "Descending from Weetwood Common to Weetwood Bridge" by Contours Holidays (2012)

Customer reviews from the St Cuthbert's Way

“Gentle beautiful countryside, very relaxing after the Southern Upland Way.”
Mr Mason, UK
“An excellent and not crowded walking route with decent accommodation.”
Mr Biro, UK
“We enjoyed our holiday very much, it was a real adventure.”
Mr Stanton, UK
“Varied landscape easy to follow route with way markers. Crossing to Holy Island a highlight.”
Dr Mansfield, UK
“Stunning scenery, wonderful accommodation, magnificent breakfasts, kind and generous hosts and best of all, the weather - rain, hail, snow, wind and perfect sunshine! Everything was above and beyond our expectation.”
Mr Trembath, Australia
“We were very lucky with the weather, didn't need any of the wet weather gear we had packed. So grateful that it was carried from place to place efficiently for us. The most memorable part was walking the 4km across the Pilgrims' causeway before the tide rose. The whole route was gently undulating and varied, and on hot days walking through deciduous woods provided welcome shade. It appears this is not a well-known route and there were few other walkers. We were glad to avoid crowds. We're grateful to Contours for making the bookings at short notice and finding accommodation for us.”
Dr Moss, UK
“Our luck with the weather made this a fantastic holiday. Views from the hilltops on the route were spectacular. Hosts at our various stops were very helpful and friendly.”
Mr Narbrough, UK
“We were lucky with the weather, and May was a great time to benefit from wild flowers in bloom and birdsong along the route. All the places we stayed were very welcoming of our dog and ourselves.”
Mrs Woods, UK
“We had an incredible time. The places we stayed were great. People were helpful and very welcoming. Our luggage pick-up and drop off went smoothly. You make it so easy for us and we so appreciate the effort. And we plan to take another group in a few years! Again, you make it easy for us and we have not had any serious issues so we would be happy to continue using your services.”
Mrs Raynor, USA
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