The Borders Abbeys Way

The abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders

By Paul Boobyer

ISBN

9781852849801

Availability

Published

22 Feb 2019

Edition

First

Pages

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x .60cm

Weight

110g

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Guidebook to the Borders Abbeys Way, a 68 mile circuit in the Scottish Borders, taking in 4 of Britain's grandest ruined medieval abbeys. Beginning and ending in Tweedbank, the route, which is described over 6 stages, is as rich in history as it is in pastoral charm. Relatively flat, it is suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness.

Seasons

This multi-day walk can be done at any time of year, although between early spring and the end of autumn you will have more hours of daylight.

Centres

Melrose, Newtown St Boswells, Kelso, Jedburgh, Denholm, Hawick and Selkirk.

Difficulty

Low level and easy walking on the first three stages. The following three stages involve some inclines, but none that are demanding for people with a moderate level of fitness. Most of the route is off-road, but there are some stretches along quiet, minor roads.

Must See

A circuit incorporating four of Scotland's most impressive ruined medieval abbeys. Follow in the monks' footsteps on riverside paths, forest tracks and open hills where great views abound. This route traverses part of the Tweed Valley before heading up to rolling hills. The variety of terrain will delight any walker.

ISBN

9781852849801

Availability

Published

22 Feb 2019

Edition

First

Pages

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x .60cm

Weight

110g

Overview

The Borders Abbeys Way links four of Britain's grandest ruined medieval abbeys in the central Scottish Borders. The route is a well waymarked, 68-mile (109km) circuit and is one of Scotland's Great Trails.

The route which begins and ends in Tweedbank, is described clockwise over 6 stages averaging 11.3 miles per day. Relatively flat, it is suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness. The Way can be walked at any time of year and can be reached within an hour by train from the centre of Edinburgh.

This guidebook provides a comprehensive description of the route, which passes through the towns of Melrose, Kelso, Jedburgh, Hawick and Selkirk and the villages of Denholm and Newton St Boswells. In addition to clear route description and OS 1:50,000 mapping extracts, the guidebook also includes information about the history of the Borders abbeys, the ever-intriguing Borders reivers, and the region's geology and agriculture. Invaluable practical information relating to accommodation, transport, mapping and public access is also included.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Introduction

The Borders Abbeys Way

History of the Borders abbeys

The Borders reivers

Agriculture and country estates in the Borders

Geology and nature

Getting to and from the Borders Abbeys Way

Where to stay

Maps and public access

When to go and what to take

Using this guide

The Borders Abbeys Way

Stage 1 Tweedbank to Newtown St Boswells via Melrose

Stage 2 Newtown St Boswells to Kelso

Stage 3 Kelso to Jedburgh

Stage 4 Jedburgh to Hawick

Stage 5 Hawick to Selkirk

Stage 6 Selkirk to Tweedbank

Appendix A Facilities available on each Stage of the Borders Abbeys Way

Appendix B Accommodation

Appendix C Public transport information

Appendix D Useful contacts

Appendix E Further reading

Maps

Maps and public access Maps

The entire Borders Abbeys Way is waymarked in both directions. The Ordnance Survey (OS) maps covering the route are:

Stage Landranger Explorer 1 73 338, 339 2 74 339 3 74 339, OL16 4 80 331, OL16 5 79, 80 331, 338 6 73 338

The OS Landranger map series has a scale of 1:50,000 and the Explorer series has a scale of 1:25,000. This guide contains extracts of the OS Landranger map series overlaid with the route of the Borders Abbeys Way.

Explorer sheet 331 dated 2015 displays an incorrect Borders Abbeys Way route on Stage 4 (Jedburgh to Hawick). See Stage 4 map and route description in this book for the correct route information. Public access

Scotland enjoys some of the best public access rights in the world and walkers have the right to roam the countryside with only a few restrictions. However, it is important to respect the Outdoor Access Code (see Camping, earlier). Follow any temporary footpath diversions made by landowners or the local authority and keep to the waymarked paths in fields planted with crops.

If you are walking with a dog, keep your dog on a short lead or at least under very close control. In bird breeding season (usually April–July) avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds. Cows with calves can become stressed and aggressive if a dog is present, so keep a safe distance and never pass between a mother and her calf with a dog. If a cow does charge, let go of the dog’s lead, otherwise you may get injured by the cow. A cow will most likely pursue a dog and not you in this situation.

The Borders Abbeys Way is managed by Scottish Borders Council (SBC). If waymarkers are found to be damaged or missing, please inform the Countryside Access Officers at SBC. Contact details are in Appendix D. Mobile signal coverage is generally good on most of the Way.

The W-shaped Borders Abbeys Way logo (in the middle)

Updates

May 2023

Abbotsford

Abbotsford is not a National Trust property, as stated in the book.

May 2021

Stage 4 diversion

There is currently a short and well-signed diversion on Stage 4 (Jedburgh to Hawick). Just after leaving Denholm, a landslip by the Teviot means the route is diverted up the B6405 and then first left via Hassendean Bank, before continuing with the normal route at the bend in river. It adds around half a mile to the route.

(Thank you to John and Alison McIntosh for this update)

January 2020

Appendix B - St Boswells

Accommodation.

Dryburgh Abbey hotel phone number is wrong it should read 01835 822261.

Reviews

Helpful

The 68-mile circular Borders Abbeys way connects the medieval abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh and attracts thousands of walkers every year, who explore the riverside tracks, forest paths and open hills of the Tweed Valley.

Far from being an imposing long-distance route, as Paul Boobyer shows us, the Way can be accessed by everyone, from those wanting a stand-alone day walk to people tackling the full route in stages. The book presents the walk in six stages, each of which averages a manageable eleven miles a day.

The helpful introduction gives an overview of the route and its history, as well as the history of the region (including the Border Reivers) and each of the four abbeys. There are also suggestions for people who would like to coincide their visit with a local festival such as Borders Book Festival or one of the traditions Ridings ceremonies.

The walk is divided into six stages:

1. Tweedbank to Newtown St Boswells via Melrose

2. Newtown St Boswells to Kelso

3. Kelso to Jedburgh

4. Jedburgh to Hawick

5. Hawick to Selkirk

6. Selkirk to Tweedbank

Each section has a route summary, maps, photos and detailed instructions for the section in question. Box outs within the main text draw your attention to historical details and attractions en route. There are also suggestions on places to eat and accommodation.

There are also helpful suggestions about what to see along the way if you decide to take a break from the trail.

Happily, the author has considered those who are exploring the Way using public transport and includes bus and train details for the route, together with bus numbers and operators for the towns covered along the route. There are also further reading suggestions for the history of the Borders regions and the abbeys.

History Scotland

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

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The Borders Abbeys Way - GPX File

Paul Boobyer

Paul Boobyer’s zest for walking and curiosity of foreign cultures led him to undertake long-distance walks in Britain, Nepal, New Zealand, Canada and Chile. He also spent time in Mongolia, where he stayed with nomadic herders and discovered how painful a traditional wooden saddle can be to the uninitiated. Returning to Scotland, Paul built mountain footpaths in the Scottish Highlands. Later, he managed footpaths whilst working as a Countryside Access Officer at Scottish Borders Council, and led guided walks during the annual Borders Walking Festival.

Paul now lives in Andalucía in Spain and often walks in the Sierra Morena hills near his home, enjoying the abundant birdlife and trying to spot European lynx.

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