Kirk Yetholm to Harestanes

The first part of the Scottish National Trail follows the route of St Cuthbert's Way. From the lovely village of Kirk Yetholm the route climbs Wideopen Hill - an excellent ridgewalk with grand views. Roadwalking leads on through Morebattle and past Cessford Castle before country lanes, old Roman Roads and the River Teviot lead on to the visitor centre at Harestanes.

Terrain

Waymarked paths and tracks, can be muddy in fields. Some sections on minor roads; traverse of Wideopen Hill involves a steep climb and is more exposed in poor weather.

Public Transport

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

Start

Kirk Yetholm village green. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Begin by heading up the lane alongside the west edge of the picturesque village green - alongside Cross Keys House. The lane leads to the Youth Hostel, but turn left at the footpath sign (all this stage is marked by the cross symbol of St Cuthbert's Way. The path leads around the edge of a field; bear left at the end to follow it as it cuts across to reach steps up to a minor road at the bridge over the Bowmont Water. Turn right along the road, crossing the bridge and turning left at a footpath sign after the electricity substation. Follow the path as it leads down towards the river once more, eventually joining a rough track. This curves away from the river and meets a tarred lane opposite a cemetery. Turn right here, then left at the t-junction with the B6401.

Stage 2

Continue along the road before turning left at the next junction (signed for Belford-on-Bowmont). Keep ahead at the crossroads and continue for 1.5km along the attractive glen until taking a very sharp right turn onto a grassy track. Follow this until a stile on the left, then head up the field, passing a small copse. Cross one stile ahead then turn right to reach and cross a second tall wooden stile over a wall. Follow the path to the left, with grand views looking back towards the Yetholms. The path leads leads a gate in another wall and then follows the wall along the ridge of Crookedshaws Hill.

Stage 3

The path cuts across a dog-leg in the wall to reach and cross another stile. Now follow the wall to the right, soon climbing up to reach the summit of Wideopen Hill at 368m. Continue along the ridge wall, crossing another stile, before eventually following a grassy track and then turning right down a path down the slope to reach a gate. Pass through and continue down the edge of a field, with a plantation on your right. At the bottom cross a stile then follow a grassy track to the left. This swings right and meets a larger track; go straight ahead here, following the main track as it bends left then right down towards the Kale Water. Leave the track to reach a footbridge; cross and turn right on a minor road.

Stage 4

Pass a gatehouse but continue along the road until the next junction, then turn left. This minor road climbs gently before descending to a junction with the B6401 at Morebattle. Turn left to head through the village, keeping on the main road for almost 2km. At a road junction with a wooden footpath sign turn left to follow a single track road to Cessford, passing the ruins of the castle. At a junction on the approach to Cessford turn right, heading towards the phone box and cottages. The road bends right at the phone box - leave it, instead continuing ahead on a track.

Stage 5

Looking back there are good views to the Castle. Keep on the track when it bends left by an old cattle grid. When the forestry plantations are reached turn right along their nearside, then left at the far end. The path keeps by the field edges, going right at the next corner, then left over a stile. Again keep by the edges, bending right to head through the left edge of a block of woodland. Emerging from the other side, go through a gate to the other side of the wall but continue in the same direction through more woodland. At the bottom follow a track round the field to the right, crossing a footbridge on the far side and then heading up past outbuildings to a converted barn and a minor road. Turn left at the road then immediately right. When the road passes through a band of woodland, turn left keeping within the band of trees.

Stage 6

The route eventually emerges onto a tarred lane. Turn right downhill to a sstone barn, then pass through a gate and curve to the right around the field, bearing left when in front of the cottage. Turn right by the waymarker post at a pylon, cutting down to reach the river, a small gate and footbridge. Cross this and then follow the grass track beyond as it winds right and left up to a road. There are good views towards the Waterloo Monument on Peniel Heugh. Turn right here, then left on a path along another narrow strip of woodland.

Stage 7

This reaches a track at a stile; turn right along this, heading downhill with views to the Eildon Hills. Keep straight ahead when the Borders Abbeys Way heads off to the left. The track leads down to a minor road - go right to reach the main A698. Turn left along the verge, crossing the bridge over the Jed Water, then carefully cross the road and step over the barrier to take a footpath down a flight of wooden steps into the trees. The path runs downstream beside the Jed to its meeting with the Teviot Water, then follows the Teviot upstream, crossing a stile. Soon the magnificent Monteviot suspension footbridge is reached. Built in 1999 to replace an earlier one that was swept away in a flood - thankfully the walkway is now suspended much higher above the water.

Stage 8

Turn right on a path through the woods on the far side, then left at a t-junction to pass through a gate and up between two fields. Pass into Boggyhall Wood, following a path to the left. The path then emerges on the northern driveway for Monteviot House; turn left on this very briefly and then right onto a woodland path once more. At the next signed junction the next stage of the Scottish National Trail turns off to the right - however, to reach Harestanes turn left, then right at a cross-tracks to reach the countryside visitor centre.

Next stage: Harestanes to Melrose

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