All done in 4 days
Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 5:43 pmTravelled 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.
Day 2:
Drive to Galashiels, bus to Ashkirk, walked to Newtown St Boswells, bus back to Galashiels. 22 miles
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Jedburgh Abbey
- Borders countryside (Eilden Hills in the far distance)
- 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
- Countryside approaching Selkirk
- Remains of Old Dovecot near Selkirk
- First good view of Eilden Hills. I did these as an optional extra on day 3
- 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.
- Viewpoint above River Tweed near Newton St Boswells
- Bridge over River Tweed
- 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.
- River Tweed at Kelso. A welcome rest on the plentiful picnic seats
- Walk up to Wester hill
- Top of Wester Hill
- View to North Hill from Top of Mid Hill (the highest one)
- 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.
- Kelso Abbey
- Crossing the River Tweed after leaving Kelso
- Walking along the River Teviot
- River Teviot at Jedburgh
- 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.