St Cuthbert's Way itinerary
Melrose - Harestanes - Kirk Yetholm - Wooler - Holy Island (Lindisfarne) (Scotland)
Overview
St Cuthbert's Way follows sites that are connected with St Cuthbert. The route starts at the historic Scottish Borders town of Melrose, where St Cuthbert is said to have started his ministry and started his life of religious devotion, and finishes at Holy Island in Lindisfarne, where he ended his days.
Day 1: Melrose - St Boswell & Maxton - Harestanes
Melrose - St Boswell & Maxton: 8 miles (13 km)
St Boswell & Maxton - Harestanes: 6 miles (10 km)
Totals for Day: 14 miles (23 km)
Melrose
Start your walk in Melrose, where St Cuthbert was born and started his ministry. Visit the remains of Melrose Abbey, founded in AD 660. It's believed to be the burial place for Robert the Bruce's heart, and was at one time, the richest abbey in Scotland. Melrose is also the home of 7-a-side rugby, so try and catch a game while you're there.
St Boswell & Maxton
The next place on St Cuthbert's Way is St Boswell, a village just 8 miles east of Melrose. As you walk through St Boswell, visit the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey, which are remarkably complete. Next, onto Maxton, where you can visit Lilyot's Cross, the place where March Days to discuss cross-border quarrels were held during the 14th century.
Harestanes
Finish your fist day on the St Cuthbert Way at Harestanes Countryside Visitor's Centre. This centre, housed in renovated farm buildings, offers events, exhibitions, and countryside walks for all the family. It's also home to the biggest children's playpark in the Scottish borders. The centre provides lots of information on countryside wildlife and places to visit.