St Cuthbert's Way: Harestanes to Kirk Yetholm

Summary

This stage of St Cuthbert's Way has an initial stretch beside the River Teviot before crossing rolling farmland, woodland and fields to reach the ruins of the castle at Cessford. A stretch of road walking leads on to the village of Morebattle before the route climbs to Wideopen Hill - a fine ridgewalk with superb views. The stage ends at the attractive village of Kirk Yetholm.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked paths and tracks, can be a little muddy in fields. One lengthy stretch on tarmac. Traverse of Wideopen Hill involves a steep climb and is exposed in poor weather. Livestock present.

Getting there

Start

Harestanes Centre car park.

Public Transport

Bus at junction of B6400 with A68, 15mins from Harestanes. Bus to Kirk Yetholm.

Start Grid Ref

NT641244

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 28.8km / 18 miles
Time: 7 - 8 hours
Ascent: 730m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

To rejoin St Cuthbert's Way from the Harestanes Centre, head through the far end of the car park to reach a T junction with a tarred lane; turn left along this towards Monteviot House; there is an off-road path on the left side. When the path bears left away from the road take it, crossing a footbridge and then up steps to reach a junction - turn left again here, then right at the next junction - now back on St Cuthbert's Way. When the path reaches the driveway for Monteviot House head straight across into the woods. The path emerges from the trees and bears right, running downhill between two fields. Go through a gate into the woods at the bottom and then turn right at a signed junction.

Stage 2

Cross the wooden walkway leading out onto the magnificent Monteviot suspension footbridge. It was built in 1999 to replace an earlier bridge that was swept away in a flood - thankfully the walkway is now suspended higher above the river. On the far side turn left, following the River Teviot downstream. It heads through a gate, and then near the confluence with the Jed it bears right through the trees, then runs upstream beside the Jed. Finally ascend a flight of wooden steps to reach the busy A698. Turn left along this, crossing high over the Jed, and then cross the road carefully to head up the minor road off the opposite side. The road leads to Jedburgh - 3km off route - if you need to find a place to stay, but otherwise the route turns almost immediately left up a rough lane; this section of the walk is shared with the Borders Abbeys Way. Keep straight on when the latter route heads off to the right (another link to Jedburgh).

Stage 3

The track continues uphill, giving views back towards the Eildon Hills. Turn left at a stile to head into a strip of woodland. A path winds amongst the trees, eventually reaching a minor road. Turn right along this for a short distance before a sign indicates where to leave it for a track off to the left. There are good views from here of the Waterloo Monument on Peniel Heugh to the north. The grass track winds right and left before reaching a footbridge over the Oxnam Water. Turn right to cross this and then bear left along a fenced path that climbs through the pastures, curving one way and then the other. The path passes around the right side of the garden of a cottage, then meets a track - turn right along this. When the track reaches a woodland turn left onto a signed path through the trees.

Stage 4

The path emerges on another minor road; turn right along this, then left when it reaches a t-junction. Turn right before the cottages and head down the edge of the field. Cross a footbridge then keep left around the field edge. This curves round to the right, but soon the path forks off left into the trees, crossing a burn and climbing to reach a gap in a stone wall; pass through and turn right. The path leads to a footbridge and into further woodland. Ignore a path off left, soon emerging from the trees and continuing along a field edge, bearing left at the corner. A stone stile then leads over the wall on the right; keep by the field edges, turning left then right. Eventually the route reaches a track; turn left along this, heading downhill. Follow the track when it turns to the right by an old cattle grid. It leads down into the hamlet of Cessford, with Cessford Castle looking impressive beyond.

Stage 5

The track meets a minor road in Cessford at a bend. Go straight ahead on the road, and then turn left as the road bends right at a house. The road winds uphill and passes close to the castle; the exterior can be visited through a gate into the field when the road bends left. The current structure dates back to the 1450s and defended the Ker family; the Border country was a dangerous place and the castle was built to withstand a seige - which it did on more than one occasion. Continue along the road around several sharp bends before meeting the B6401 after around 2km. Turn right along the verge - taking care as this road can be busy. It leads into the attractive village of Morebattle, which has an inn and shop, making a possible place to break the walk. To continue, head straight on through the village and then as the main road bends left, go straight ahead onto a minor road signed for Hownam. There are good views back over Morebattle as the road climbs, eventually reaching a t-junction; turn right here.

Stage 6

Continue along the road for around 600m until a sign indicates a footbridge on the left. Cross the bridge and head into the field beyond, picking up a faint track which bears to the right. Stay on the track as it turns sharp left to begin the climb; as it swings right fork slightly left onto a grassier track heading uphill. This continues to reach a plantation; turn right through a gate head up the edge of the field beside the trees. Go through the gate at the top and continue on the narrow path up the open hillside. When a grassy ridge and faint track is reached turn left along it, eventually forking left towards a wall and then bearing right parallel to it. Cross a stile and continue along the ridge wall to reach the summit of Wideopen Hill, marked by a small information plaque. At 368m this is the highest point on St Cuthbert's Way - and is also roughly the halfway mark - a real landmark on the journey. Follow the wall to the right here; it soon drops down and turns left, eventually descending to a stile.

Stage 7

Cross this and take the path uphill beyond. This continues along the ridge of Crookedshaws Hill, gradually losing height and with great views of the valley of the Bowmont Water winding ahead. Eventually the path heads through a gate in the wall and continues downhill, passing through bracken and then a pedestrian gate into a field. Head through and follow the wall towards a copse of trees. Ignore the gate and pass through the trees, continuing down to reach another stile giving access to a grassy lane. Turn right down the lane to reach a minor road and then head sharp left along this. Keep straight on at the crossroads in Primsidemill to reach the busier B6401 just beyond, and bear right along this.

Stage 8

The road leads into Town Yetholm which offers a shop as well as accommodation, but St Cuthbert's Way turns off to the right on a tarmac lane before it is reached. Almost immediately after the turning head left onto a rough track; this eventually peters out; continue by the river. Aim just left of the electricity substation to reach a stile and the road. Turn right to cross the bridge over the Bowmont Water and then descend steps on the left to join a path across the field (ignore the path that keeps nearer the river). It leads through a gate and then joins a lane, passing the independent Youth Hostel before reaching the green at the heart of the village. Kirk Yetholm sees more than its far share of long distance walkers - as well as being a staging post for fellow travellers on St Cuthbert's Way, it is the end point of the Pennine Way.

Next stage: Kirk Yetholm to Wooler

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