Monday May 16th- St. Cuthbert’s Way Day 1

 Melrose to St. Boswells

We took the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Tweedbank and then walked to Melrose to start the walk proper. The approach walk was enjoyable in itself, passing a suspension bridge dating from 1826 complete with its own rules and regulations. 

The “Chain Bridge” at Gattonside

Rules and regulations for The Chain Bridge
Melrose Abbey was an amazing sight and it was a shame that we could only see the outside as work was being carried out on the interior.
First view of Melrose Abbey


After a good look at the abbey we started the walk in earnest. 

From Melrose we climbed up the Eildon Hills in the mist we only really got a view of them the next day. The route was very clearly waymarked but it was good to use the Harvey Map to confirm where we were and what was coming up. 
St. Cuthbert’s Way waymarker
We walked down through the woods to Bowden, a very pretty little village and had lunch on a bench near the village well in the rain. 
The Bowden village well complete with bell on a chain
In fact, it rained more or less nonstop from 1pm! We carried on and the route went next to Newtown St. Boswells. We skirted the village and headed down to the River Tweed which we followed through the woods for the last stretch of the day. This part was a bit muddy and unchanging and we were glad to emerge into St. Boswells and make it to the dry of The Bucclech Arms and a nice dinner (the chunky chips were great). 

C. 8½ miles. 

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