Borders Abbey Way

The Borders Abbeys Way is one of Scotland's Great Trails, a fascinating circuit that takes in the historic ruined abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh. Within its 67 miles (108 km) it includes also the charming towns of Hawick and Selkirk, and passes Abbotsford House, the historic home of Sir Walter Scott. Much of the terrain is easy-going, beside the Rivers Tweed and Teviot, and the hilly sections offer splendid views. The route is most easily reached by rail from Edinburgh to Tweedbank, near Melrose. This guidebook contains all you need to plan and enjoy your Borders Abbeys Way walk: detailed description of the route walked anticlockwise from Melrose coverage of the history and architecture of the Borders abbeys summaries with distance, terrain and food/drink stops ten pages of detailed mapping of the route at 1:55,000 a section about habitats and wildlife, with superb images information about public transport and travel lavishly illustrated, with 85 colour photographs rucksack-friendly format, printed on rainproof paper.

Neil Mackay is a former Access Officer for Scottish Borders Council whose detailed knowledge of this route dates from its development. He still lives in the Borders and is now a freelance writer and access consultant.