This is one of the prettiest walks in Scotland, and it’s got a proper historical story to it, which is something that really adds to a trip in my mind. The walk basically follows the life and times of St. Cuthbert a 7th Century Scottish saint, who started his training at Melrose Abbey in Melrose at around 650AD then followed his calling to become a Prior and then Bishop of Lindisfarne or Holy Island, before being buried there. Cuthbert spent a lot of time walking around this beautiful countryside spreading the gospel. This boarder area was torn apart by battles and Viking raids throughout the Middle Ages and there are ruins, churches and battlefields all along the route as well as the spectacular Melrose Abbey and the causeway walk to Lindisfarne. The real highlights, as well as the causeway and the castle and ruined priory on Lindisfarne, are the ruins of Cessford Castle, a tower and fort built on the river boarder and St Cuthbert’s Cave, over looking the coast, where his body was laid after it was snatched by Vikings. The reason Cuthbert became a saint was that his body was said not to have decomposed after death. The grave robbing story adds even more drama to what was already a tale of death, religion and battles. This is a four day walk but I like to do it in five and take my time enjoying the scenery and poking around the ruins and churches like Cuthbert would have. There are some hills along the trail, but it’s fairly easy going for the most part.

Written by  Russ Claridge.

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