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All done in 4 days

All done in 4 days


Postby revalation » Fri Sep 17, 2021 5:43 pm

Route description: Borders Abbeys Way

Date walked: 20/08/2021

Time taken: 4 days

Distance: 109 km

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Travelled up to Ashieview campsite near Ancrum on Sunday 15th August 2021 and used this a base for 4 nights using my car to travel to various towns getting bus to previous town then walking back to car.
Day 1:
Drive to Hawick, bus to Jedburgh, walk back to Hawick and still had time and energy to go as far as Ashkirk getting bus back to Hawick. 22 miles.
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Jedburgh Abbey

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Borders countryside (Eilden Hills in the far distance)

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Lots of willow herb colouring the landscape at this time of year (near Ashkirk)

Day 2:
Drive to Galashiels, bus to Ashkirk, walked to Newtown St Boswells, bus back to Galashiels. 22 miles
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Countryside approaching Selkirk

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Remains of Old Dovecot near Selkirk

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First good view of Eilden Hills. I did these as an optional extra on day 3

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Perhaps the view of the day. High up above River Tweed on approach to Melrose

Day 3: Drive to Kelso, bus to Newtown St Boswells, walked back to Kelso. 16 miles. Arrived at Kelso at about 2pm, so drove to Bowden to climb the Eilden Hills which took a further 2.5 hours. Definitely a worthwhile optional extra especially in August when the hills turn purple with heather and panoramic views.
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Viewpoint above River Tweed near Newton St Boswells

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Bridge over River Tweed

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Last view of River Tweed until Kelso

After leaving the River Tweed, the path follows various straight lanes until reaching Kelso about 8 miles later. I found this part of the walk not so interesting.
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River Tweed at Kelso. A welcome rest on the plentiful picnic seats


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Walk up to Wester hill

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Top of Wester Hill

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View to North Hill from Top of Mid Hill (the highest one)

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Walk up to Northern Hill

Day 4: Drive to Jedburgh, bus to Kelso, walk back to Jedburgh. This is probably the easiest leg even on the standard 5 day plan. Fairly flat, following the River Teviot most of the way.
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Kelso Abbey

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Crossing the River Tweed after leaving Kelso

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Walking along the River Teviot

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River Teviot at Jedburgh

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And finally back to start at Jedburgh Abbey

A very enjoyable long distance walk. Reckon I did about 80 miles in all, so avereging 20 miles a day. Weather was very good - no rain while walking and very sunny evenings back at campsite. Having not done any multi-day long distance walking in three years, this was a good confidence builder, so hoping to do more next year and continue my journey along the Scottish National Trail from Morvich.
revalation
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Re: All done in 4 days

Postby markhallam » Thu May 05, 2022 6:49 am

Thanks Revalation. Having moved to Langholm a year ago, this walk is not far away and has been on my wish list - only mildly put off by flatness/lack of hills - but great idea of yours to include Eildon Hills, which are also on my list having looked across at them many times from the highest hills in Langholm area. And some good ideas on the car/bus shuffle you used...
And I think I'd be tempted to give it a try when the heather is in bloom too, as you did.
So thanks on several counts for some good ideas, to hopefully start studying maps & bus time-tables - and as August approaches, the weather!
Best regards Mark
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markhallam
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Location: Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway

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