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Saturday 2nd March 2013 - Kirk Yetholm to Ancrum; OS Landranger Map 74.
Walked from Kirk Yetholm to Ancrum, about 19 miles. Left Kirk Yetholm at 0850, arrived Ancrum 15.45pm and caught a bus from Ancrum to Jedburgh at 1600, arriving Jedburgh at 1610.Inspired by the Cameron McNeish programme, 'Scotland, End to End, that was shown on BBC Scotland in December 2012, I made a New Year Resolution to try and walk the Scottish National Trail, during 2013 and 2014, over free weekends and the occasional day's holiday.
Arrived Kirk Yetholm on Friday 1st March 2013. Took the train from Edinburgh to Berwick Upon Tweed then the bus from outside the railway station at Berwick Upon Tweed to Kelso. Instead of waiting an hour or so in Kelso for the next bus to Kirk Yetholm I took a taxi straight to the Border Hotel.
Pleasant night's stay in the Border Hotel, the traditional final resting place for those completing the Penine Way from South to North. Staff were friendly, room was comfortable and the food was good.
Healthy breakfast to start the day then quick photo in front of the Scottish National Trail Plaque attached to the Border Hotel and it was on with the walk.
Small general store in Town Yetholm - less than 10 minutes walk from Kirk Yetholm where you can get snacks if needed.
Beautiful day's walking. Blue skies most of the way though still some snow on the Cheviots.
Path well signposted and relatively easy to follow, you hardly need to look at the OS map.
Leave Kirk Yetholm and pretty soon you're climbing to the highest point on the St Cuthbert's Way, Wideopen Hill, which is 368m, 1207 feet high. Great views from the summit in all directions. Descend from here to Morebattle. There's a small general store in Morebattle if you need snacks, juice etc.
The way then follows the road for a short distance out of Morebattle before continuing in a generally westerly direction, via small minor roads and tracks, passing the ruins of Cessford Castle.
Stopped for lunch at the bridge over the Oxnam water, lovely spot, bit of a sun trap.
Continued on towards Harestanes crossing the Teviot on the Monteviot Suspension Bridge.
The Way reaches the B6400 road close to Woodside. My first day ends here. Walk from here to Ancrum along the B6400 and caught a bus from Ancrum to Jedburgh. For bus times to and from Jedburgh check out
http://www.munrosofjedburgh.co.uk/Stayed Saturday night at the Airenlea Bed and Breakfast in Jedburgh. Again, this provided good accommodation.
