Long walks in the Borders

[TomAMoore]

We are thinking of going to the Border Region next fall (09) and I want to do some walking. Has anyone done any of the Abbey Way? or the Buchanan Way? I might be able to pull off some time on my own after the trip, and might end up doing the WHW.

Thanks in advance

Tom

[bsmyth]

Hi Tom

My friend and I walked the Abbey Way early November. It's a really good walk. We are 60 and 65 respectively and didn't find it difficult altho' there were some quite muddy sections. However this was early November and just after there had been some bad flooding in the Borders. It is very well signposted. We did it with Contours organising the accommodation and luggage transfer. All the accom was good. Contours provide a very good walk guide.

We walked Melrose - Kelso - Jedburgh - Hawick - Selkirk - Melrose (68 miles). We found all these towns to be friendly and interesting with a good selection of eating places. Melrose was the nearest point for travelling from Dundee and Kirkcaldy where we live. You can start and finish anywhere. If you do walk it, write to the Country Ranger Service at Borders Couincil and they will send a very nice completion certificate for each participant.
Good walking.

[bsmyth]

Hi again

Just reread your message. Not familiar with Buchanan Way and couldn't find it on the web. Can you or anyone give more info on this please?
Thanks.

[Jacquetta]

I'm just wondering if Tom means the "Buchan Way" as opposed to "Buchanan Way"?   There's the John Buchan Way from Peebles to Broughton (13-14 miles), not to be confused with the longer Formatine and Buchan Way which is in Aberdeenshire.

Also, replying to bsmyth, I found only two operators offering Borders Abbey Way: apart from Contours (whom you used) there is also SCsupport.  Does anybody know any others?

[sandrahal]

Hi Tom
Do you mean the Buchan Way?  If so, it's 'only' 14 miles and is a linear route, so that while Peebles is easy to reach at one end, Broughton at the other is less so. Definitely worth doing some time if you've read or seen "The 39 Steps".

You could also consider the Borders section of the Southern Upland Way, say from Moffat to Cockburnspath - plenty of fine, wild scenery throughout the 4 days, well signposted, reasonable accommodation, and not too much road walking.
Best wishes
Sandra

[TomAMoore]

Yes I did misspell, my Americanism is not correct on the "John Buchan" Way. Yep, I did read the "39 Steps" and the rest of his books and, of course, loved the movie.

Anyway, back to the walking ... Which do folks think is better for scenic, easy walking: the Borders Abbey Way or the Great Glen?

Thanks

Tom

[bsmyth]

The Great Glen Way without doubt.