Walking in the Scottish Borders

A wonderful circuit through historic towns and villages of the Scottish Borders, featuring the magnificent ruined abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh, and passing Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). The scenery includes some long sections beside the Rivers Tweed and Teviot, as well as more rugged hilly sections, and there are excellent chances of sighting wildlife in these peaceful settings.

Highlights
historical interest of visiting four major ruined abbeys
riverside scenery of two fine fishing rivers, the Tweed and the Teviot
views from the high ground towards the Cheviots
friendly Borders pubs, cafés and B&Bs

The Borders Abbeys Way is a long distance walk that links all four Abbeys in a circular route of 107km. The walk has five stages, each ending at an attractive town as the route takes in Jedburgh near the English border, the old mill towns of Hawick and Selkirk, picturesque Melrose and Kelso with its impressive Georgian buildings arranged around a cobbled market square.

Stage descriptions Length Time Done
Jedburgh to Hawick 20.75km 5 - 6 hours
Hawick to Selkirk 19.75km 5 - 6 hours
Selkirk to Melrose 16.75km 4 - 5 hours
Melrose to Kelso 28.5km 6.5 - 8 hours
Kelso to Jedburgh 21km 5 - 6 hours
As a circuit, the route can be started at any point. The walk keeps mostly to lower levels, crossing a peaceful pastoral countryside, with only a few sections that climb higher into rougher ground, rewarded with extensive views. There are lengthy stretches along the River Tweed and the River Teviot, famed for their salmon fishing. All the towns on the route are well served by bus, with direct links between the start and end of every stage.

THE CHALLENGE
The Borders Abbeys Way is signposted throughout and provides fairly straightforward country walking.

The Three Brethren are a trio of massive, solidly built cairns dating back to the sixteenth century. They add character to what’s already an excellent viewpoint over rolling Borders hills, while the shapelier peaks of the Eildon Hills and Selkirk town both catch the eye on the longer return route. This circular route reaches them from the southern side, near Selkirk.

The Cauldshiels Loch and the River Tweed is a 15 km looped trail that starts and ends in Melrose. This varied walk is climbing through newly planted woodland and farmland to tranquil Cauldshiels Loch before descending to the River Tweed which is followed back to Melrose. The route passes Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, which could be visited as a detour.