Berwickshire Coastal Path

Berwickshire Coastal Path
Cliffs seen from the path to the north of Berwick upon Tweed.
Length48 km (30 mi)[1][2]
LocationBerwickshire, Scotland and Northumberland, England
DesignationScotland's Great Trails
TrailheadsBerwick upon Tweed55°46′16″N 2°00′25″W / 55.771°N 2.007°W / 55.771; -2.007
Cockburnspath55°55′59″N 2°21′36″W / 55.933°N 2.360°W / 55.933; -2.360[3]
UseHiking
Elevation gain/loss1,060 metres (3,480 ft) gain[1]
Lowest pointSea level
HazardsHigh cliffs
Websitehttps://www.scotborders.gov.uk/berwickshirecoastalpath
Abbey Burn and Linkim Shore
Steps leading down to Coldingham Bay

The Berwickshire Coastal Path is a walking route some 48 kilometres (30 mi) long. It follows the eastern coastline of Scotland from Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders to Berwick upon Tweed, just over the border in England.[3] At Cockburnspath the path links with the Southern Upland Way and the John Muir Way.[3]

The coastline traversed by the path is nationally and internationally important for seabirds, coastal flora and marine life: much of the coastline is protected as a Special Protection Area, and there is a national nature reserve at St Abbs Head which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland.[4][5] Strong walkers can walk the route in two days, although the walk can be split into shorter sections to allow more time to explore the towns and villages along the way.[2]

The path was developed by Scottish Borders Council, and is now designated as one of Scotland's Great Trails by NatureScot.[1] The route is waymarked, and there are four memorial statues at Eyemouth, Burnmouth, St Abbs and Cove to commemorate the 189 lives lost in the Eyemouth disaster of 14 October 1881, when a hurricane devastated the fishing fleet. Twelve bronze trail markers have also been erected along the route, linking the memorial sculptures.[2]

It connects with the Northumberland Coast Path and hence the England Coast Path at Berwick on Tweed.[6]

The route

As walked in three stages.

Stage 1

Starting in Cockburnspath, the first section of the Berwickshire Coastal Path is a gentle introduction with easy walking above Cove harbour and through farmland with some sections on minor roads to finish at Dowlaw. 12 km (7.5 miles)[3]

Stage 2

A gentle start through farmland soon leads on to the most dramatic section of the Berwickshire Coastal Path, leading along the rim of cliffs high above the sea. There is a fair amount of up and downhill as the route continues to the national nature reserve at St Abb's Head, famed for its seabirds, and on to the fishing village itself. The path then goes along the clifftops and beaches to reach the fishing port of Eyemouth. 17 km (10.5 miles)[3]

Stage 3

The final stage runs from Eyemouth to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Once a haven for smugglers, Eyemouth is now mainly a fishing port and a base for tourists. The port is a home to a fleet of about 20 fishing boats and in the summer this number can double. The route runs along the cliff tops, crossing the Border at Marshall Meadows Bay and on to Berwick-upon-Tweed in England. 19 km (11.75 miles)[3]

The path at Marshall Meadows is just 800 metres from the border between England and Scotland.

Nearby attractions

Pease Bay, Fast Castle, St Abbs Head, Coldingham, Eyemouth, Burnmouth, Gunsgreen House, Berwick Upon Tweed.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Trails Archive". NatureScot & Rucksack Readers. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Berwickshire Coastal Path" (PDF). Scottish Borders Council. 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Berwickshire Coastal Path". Walk Highlands. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  4. ^ "Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC". NatureScot. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  5. ^ "St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve". National Trust for Scotland. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Northumberland Coast Path", Long Distance Walkers Association

55°55′59″N 2°21′37″W / 55.93295°N 2.36018°W / 55.93295; -2.36018