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 £685 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 £685 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 £685
CUTH1 From Melrose to Holy Island 6 nights, 5 days walking Moderate / Demanding £823
CUTH2 From Melrose to Holy Island 7 nights, 6 days walking Moderate / Demanding £952
CUTH3 From Melrose to Holy Island 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate £1086
"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

“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
“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
“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
“Our entire family loved this trip. The beautiful story of St Cuthbert’s Way, the welcome we received most nights, and the pace of life while on this trip were all gifts. Thanks for your effort to offer that to your clients.”
Mrs Paetkau, USA
“Beautiful and varied scenery - from riverside and woodland walks, alongside and through fields, hills and moors, and of course across the sands to Lindisfarne. Walks about the right length for us. Inns good and baggage transfer flawless.”
Mr Minot, USA
“I am writing to thank you for making our recent walking holiday, St Cuthbert’s Way, so memorable. Each section of the walk was well planned, the accommodation reached high standards throughout the week, and we were thrilled to experience a competent baggage service and outstanding taxi service which were comfortable and the drivers information helpful. I will not hesitate to recommend your organisation to fellow walkers.”
Mrs Hallows, UK
“All the accommodation was excellent - the standard seems to improve year by year - and we had an excellent walk.”
Mr Howell, UK
“We have thoroughly enjoyed walking the St Cuthbert's Way, albeit challenging at times… Highlights were staying/visiting Jedburgh, the walking territory and views on the Scottish side of the border, and of course walking across the sands following the Pilgrim route to finish at Holy Island. We chose to stay an extra day/night at Holy Island, and this was well worth it, allowing more time to visit the Priory, Castle, enjoy walking the Island, birdlife and marine life (seals!), enjoying spectacular scenery at sunset and sunrise; a memorable experience. The walk itself, and the destination did not disappoint.”
Mrs Kaill, UK
“St. Cuthbert's Way was, though incredibly challenging, a magnificent path to follow, especially the last day, walking across the sand and mud to Holy Isle. MOST of the accommodations were good, and we were absolutely DELIGHTED by the cab drivers. I never would have thought that cab drivers would be a highlight of the experience, but they were. The luggage transfers were flawless, which was so helpful. The Allerton House and the Lindisfarne on Holy Isle were superb lodgings. Like any such experience, there were ups and downs, but overall it was a great experience.”
Ms Kleeman, USA
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