The third stage of the Berwickshire coastal path runs from the attractive fishing village of St Abbs along the clifftops and beaches to reach Eyemouth.
Bog Factor
Cliff top footpaths, can be muddy and slippery
Eyemouth.
St Abbs and Eyemouth are both served by bus.
NT919672
The walk begins from the attractive harbour in St Abbs. Pass to the right of the tiny cafe and then bear right to head up the tarmac path that climbs uphill. Turn left along Seaview Terrace (the village shop is just behind in Creel Road). At the end of the row of houses turn right around the corner and then across between Castle Rock on your left and a drying green on your right. Follow the clifftop path passing a number of benches.
At a fork keep left to descend to Coldingham Bay. The sandy beach here is popular with surfers and backed by a row of colourful beach huts. Cross the sands (the stream can be crossed by a footbridge at the back of the beach if necessary). Head towards the seasonal beach cafe (toilets to the right) and continue to the left along the path passing the last beach huts and climbing uphil.
Ignore the path up to the right at the bench instead descend the steps and cross the bridge. At the far end of the rocky beach climb up steps and continue on the coastal path. This is a good area for spotting seals, seabirds and roe deer.
Continue along the cliffs until the path descends once more to another longer stretch by the sea at Linkim Shore. Ignore the signed path to Coldingham via Fleurs Farm and keep along the shoreline past a sculpture of a giant drill bit - a reminder of the area's stone quarrying heritgage. From here the path bears right and climbs up to regain the cliff top, crossing a small wooden bridge over the stream.
At the top go through an opening into a field and follow the left hand margin as it winds around the coast, keeping the stone wall just to your left. The path returns to the coastal side before reaching the caravan park. Ignore the impressive set of wooden steps leading down to a rocky inlet. The path keeps close to the cliff top and passes Eyemouth Fort - worth a tiny detour at the information panel. Dating from 1547 the fort was originally built by the English but was demolished 3 years later when a treaty decreed English troops be withdrawn from Scotland. The fort was rebuilt in 1557 to house French troops, allied to the Scots at the time, although another treaty meant the fort was demolished for a second time two years later.
Follow the coast path down steps to reach the sands of Eyemouth beach - head up to the walkway at the back of the beach where there is a carpark, public toilets and a Co-op supermarket. Further along the promenade pass the bronze sculpture, Widows and Bairns, by Jill Watson. It commemorates the Black Friday fishing disaster when a total of 189 men were killed in waters just outside the town's harbour when a severe storm struck in October 1881. town. Many drowned within full view of their families on the shore. The tragedy left 78 widows and 182 fatherless children in the town. Eyemouth has all facilities.
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