St Cuthbert's Way
31st August - 7th September 2024
Take a week walking through stunning and varied Borders scenery, following in the footsteps of the seventh century monk, Cuthbert, who is one of the best known and loved of the Celtic saints.
We start in the historic town of Melrose, visiting both the ruins of the medieval Cistercian Abbey and the site of the monastery where Cuthbert became a monk. There's a climb over the Eildon hills and down to Dryburgh, to visit the picturesque remains of another monastery. A walk along the Roman Dere Street brings us to Jedburgh and a third great Borders Abbey. The next stage of the walk involves a traverse of some of the wild and remote Cheviot hills, passing through Kirk Yetholm and onwards across the border into England and the market town of Wooler.
The walk then heads towards the coast, with a stop at St Cuthbert's cave, peacefully situated in a plantation of pines, and then onwards to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where Cuthbert was prior of the monastery. The walk across the sands on the pilgrim causeway is a dramatic and moving highlight. Then there is time to explore this special island and to stay for the night, with the sounds of seabirds and seals for company, before heading home refreshed and re-energised.
This pilgrimage involves overnight stays in three star hotels and the cost includes baggage transfers, breakfasts and evening meals and admission to the landmarks along the route. There will be an opportunity to meet and hear about the life of St Cuthbert from local people who have been inspired by his life. You will be guided along the whole route and the party will be small so that everyone receives support and attention.
You will need to be able to walk up to 15 miles in a day and to be prepared to walk in whatever weather we encounter. There are some steep climbs and descents and a mixture of terrain from quiet riverside footpaths, boggy moorland tracks and the muddy barefoot crossing onto Holy Island. St Cuthbert's Way is fast becoming one of the UK's most popular long-distance pilgrimage walks and its 62-mile length is easily managed in a week.
See here for the itinerary and here for more information and how to book.
For images of the route, visit the gallery here
Cost: £1195 per person based on sharing twin rooms. Single room supplement is an additional £200.