Southern Upland Way Walking Holidays

Opened in 1984, the Southern Upland Way is Scotland's longest walk and Britain's first official coast to coast long distance footpath , beating a trail of some 212 miles (340 kms) from Portpatrick on the south west coast of Scotland, to Cockburnspath's North Sea coastline in the east.

From the romantic coastline at Portpatrick on the Rhinns of Galloway, the trail then turns inland and proceeds over superb and varied walking country. Firstly meeting rich farmland, the Way heads to Castle Kennedy, home to some glorious gardens, and then on over the open moorland of Balmurrie Fell and past the ancient Laggangairn standing stones.

From here the walk moves on to Bargrennan, nestling on the edge of the beautiful Galloway Forest, where the descents provide some of the most breathtaking views to be found along the Southern Upland Way, especially bypassing Lochs Trool, Dee and Clatteringshaws. Emerging from the eastern side of the Forest you arrive at St John's Town of Dairy, the 'Walking Village of the Glenkens', then cross more open moorland to Sanquhar, home of Britain’s oldest surviving Post Office.

The open grouse moors of the Lowther Hills, the highest hills on the Southern Upland Way, lead to Wanlockhead village, once the centre of a thriving lead and gold mining trade.

A variety of moorland and plantation lies en route to to St. Mary's Loch, the largest natural loch in the Borders Region, and onwards to Tibbie Shiels Inn, site of the inauguration of the Southern Upland Way in 1984 and home to a.statue paying homage to the poet James Hogg.

Moving onwards to Traquair the terrain and undulations become somewhat easier, with highlights along this part of the Way including splendid views to the ruins of the 16th century Dryhope Tower, once home of Mary Queen of Scots. The Way then proceeds to Galashiels and Melrose, a more urban area famous for its tweed and woollen industry. Melrose, lying on the edge of beautiful Eildon Hills, is steeped in Scottish tradition and history, being home to the annual Melrose 7s Rugby Tournament and the site of the majestic ruins of Melrose Abbey.

Leaving Melrose, the Southern Upland Way once again enters rural landscape, heading over Lauderdale, where the towering 13th Century Thirlestane Castle provides a mgnificent landmark. A mixture of rich, fertile farmland and the heather-clad slopes of the Lammermuir Hills then leads on to the final leg of the Southern Upland Way.

From Abbey St Bathans the path leads down to meet the sea at Pease Bay. Atractions here include Pease Dean, a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve offering one final fine example of forest and woodland. Meanwhile, Pease Bridge, scaling some 140ft was believed to be the highest bridge in Europe at the time of its construction 200 years ago

From Pease Bay, the Southern Upland Way heads inland for its very final hoorah before coming to an end in the village of Cockburnspath, the finish of one of the most demanding and rewarding long distance path in Britain.

Total distance: 212 miles (340 kms)
Starting point: Portpatrick
Finish: Cockburnspath