Misty Eildon Hills.

 Melrose – St. Boswells.

The walk is named after Cuthbert a 7th-century saint, a native of the Borders who spent his life in the service of the church. He began his work at Melrose Abbey. He achieved the status of Bishop and when he died he was buried on Holy Island.

We enjoyed a beautiful sunny evening in Melrose, a great little town with it’s Abbey and the main street full of interesting shops and pubs. There was an interesting clock in the main street with an inscription to a past worthy GP,  why have I not achieved this status?

                                                                                                                                                                                  The next morning we woke to the sound of rain and it was to stay with us all day. Full of a full Scottish breakfast, having picked up The St. Cuthbert waymarks, we tackled the steep climb up into The Eildon Hills on a muddy path through the gorse.

They like to keep Melrose clean and tidy – a sign on leaving the village…..

At the col in the hills we spared ourselves the climb up to the higher top and its view-marker – there were no views.

Down the other side damp woodlands and lanes took us to the Dryburgh Arms in Newton St. Boswells for refreshment and respite from the rain. A decision was made to use the afternoon and walk the next three miles along the bank of the River Tweed and shorten tomorrow’s section. This proved to be a delight. Sand Martins were prolific catching insects above the water. The fly fishermen were having less success with the Salmon.

The River Tweed.

Using the excellent local bus service we were soon back in St. Boswells and our B&B. We made the mistake of ordering a Chinese takeaway, delivered, it was dire but we escaped any subsequent ‘problems’.