Borders Abbeys Way

author: Paul Boobyer
The Borders Abbeys Way is a 68-mile (109km) circuit that connects four of Britain's grandest ruined medieval abbeys in the stunning landscape of the Scottish Borders. The route is a well waymarked 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 completed as a series of stand-alone day walks or as a contiguous six stage walking holiday. The start 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.

The six stages are
Tweedbank to Newtown St Boswells via Melrose
Newtown St Boswells to Kelso
Kelso to Jedburgh
Jedburgh to Hawick
Hawick to Selkirk
Selkirk to Tweedbank

ISBN 9781852849801 Pages 92 (2019) 115mm x 170mm

author: Neil Mackay
The Borders Abbeys Way is one of Scotland's Great Trails, a fascinating circuit that takes in the historic ruined abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso, and Jedburgh. Within its 67 miles it includes also, the charming towns of Hawick and Selkirk, and passes Abbotsford House, the historic home of Sir Walter Scott. Much of the terrain is easy-going, beside the Rivers Tweed and Teviot, and the hilly sections offer splendid views. The route is most easily reached by rail from Edinburgh to Tweedbank, near Melrose.

This guidebook contains all you need to plan and enjoy walking the Borders Abbeys Way.
Detailed description of the route walked clockwise from Melrose.
Coverage of the history and architecture of the Borders abbeys.
Summaries with distance, terrain, and food and drink stops.
12 pages with detailed mapping of the route at 1:55,000 scale.
A section about habitats and wildlife, with superb images.
Lavishly illustrated with 105 colour photographs.
Rucksack friendly format, printed on rainproof paper.
Forward by author and journalist Allan Massie OBE.

The guidebook provides five-day and six-day itineraries. The six-day is given below:
Melrose to St Boswells - 4.7 miles
St Boswells to Kelso - 15 miles
Kelso to Jedburgh - 13 miles
Jedburgh to Hawick - 13.2 miles
Hawick to Selkirk - 12.8 miles
Selkirk to Melrose - 10.5 miles

ISBN 9781898481782 Pages 70 (2017) 138mm x 220mm