Walker's Data

This page has a host of useful information to help the walker plan. Click on any of the following headings to access this information.

Walking Distances Accommodation locations Maps Weather Refreshments

Alternative Walking Option Transport Details Walking Terrain Communications Emergency Precautions

Walking Distances The sections of the walk are very much defined by the communities that are located along the way, and the route option chosen in the Central Borders. There are limited options in terms of dividing up the walk at the eastern end. Below are the main distance tables

Section Start - End point Distance (miles) Distance (km.) 1 Moffat - Tibbie Shiels 20 32.5 2 Tibbie Shiels - Traquair 14 22.5 3 Traquair - Galashiels 13 21 4 Galashiels - Lauder 15 24 5 Lauder - Longformacus 14 22.5 6 Longformacus - Cockburnspath 16 26 Total 92 148.5

Section Start - End point Distance (miles) Distance (km.) 1 Moffat - Tibbie Shiels 20 32.5 2 Tibbie Shiels - Traquair 14 22.5 3 Traquair via Selkirk - Abbotsford 18 28.5 4 Abbotsford - Lauder 12 19 5 Lauder - Longformacus 14 22.5 6 Longformacus - Cockburnspath 16 26 Total 94 151

Alternative Walking Options If the walker is able to access the limited accommodation in the Ettrick Valley or is prepared to use pick up transport then the following option is an example of what is available, this offering an easier start to the walk.

1 Moffat - Scabcleuch 15.5 25 2 Scabcleuch - Traquair 18.5 30 3 Traquair - Galashiels 13 21 4 Galashiels - Lauder 15 24 5 Lauder - Longformacus 14 22.5 6 Longformacus - Cockburnspath 16 26 Total 92 148.5

In this option accommodation at the end of day 1 would be at Tushielaw or further down the Ettrick Valley.

This is only one of several possibilities with the option to use either the Galashiels or Selkirk routes and the ability to extend the walk to 7 days offering more time to stop off at locations such as the Courtroom at Selkirk, Abbotsford, Melrose Abbey and Thirlstane Castle. If you would like to receive a chart of distances and table of suggested stopping points then e-mail Walking Support (Planning, Booking, Luggage Transfer and Guiding experts) and they will forward you the details.

Accommodation Locations This section is set up to offer suggestions on where individuals or parties might stay while on the route. Not all stages stop at locations where there is extensive accommodation or eating facilities, but in all cases additional local communities and transport provision by private hire are readily available if booked in advance.

Overnight Location Suggestions Transfer Times (approx) start Moffat zero Day 1 Tibbie Shiels St Mary's Loch Gordon Arms zero 5 min 15 min Day 2 Traquair Innerleithen Gordon Arms zero 5 min 15 min Day 3 Selkirk Galashiels Melrose zero zero 10 min Day 4 Lauder Earlston Carfraemill Melrose zero 10 min 5 min 15 min Day 5 Longformacus Duns zero 10 min Day 6 Cockburnspath zero

To link for suggestions on service providers click on accommodation, or transport & bag carrying provision.

Transport Details The provision of public transport to and from the start and end locations is straightforward with bus services running directly to Moffat from Glasgow (Buchanan Street Bus Station) and from Edinburgh (St Andrews Square). Access can also be gained from rail connections via Lockerbie or Dumfries. The connections from Cockburnspath is direct to Edinburgh, again with bus connections to link to the rail at Berwick upon Tweed or Edinburgh. Connection between Moffat and Cockburnspath or in the reverse direction is achieved by way of a change at Edinburgh. There are no bus or train routes along the line of the Way, but there are bus routes to and from Edinburgh to Innerleithen, Selkirk, Galashiels, Melrose, and Lauder.

Route Route Numbers General Comments Glasgow to Moffat No 974 to Dumfries This service takes approx. 1 hr. 30 min. Edinburgh to Moffat X100 to Dumfries Lockerbie to Moffat No 382 Approx. 30 min. and this allows for connection to rail service to and from Glasgow and Carlisle Cockburnspath to Edinburgh No 253 Approx time 1 hr. 20 min. Cockburnspath to Berwick upon Tweed No 253 45 min. journey with connection then available to train on East Coast Line Cockburnspath to Moffat Services No 253 & X100 Dependent on the time of day the transfer time may vary. Alternatively with additional links the route can be made with train connections to Glasgow and Lockerbie.

Useful Contact Numbers Travel Line for all public transport information and timetables - Tel 08706082608. Their website allows for route planniong and timetables and is accessed on www.travelinescotland.com ScotRail - 08457 484950 or www.scotrail.co.uk Scottish Citylink - 08705 505050 or www.citylink.co.uk

Maps The walk is waymarked with the SNH Thistle sign as it follows the eastern line of the Southern Upland Way with the exception of the starting section and a short part at Galashiels. We would not advocate that the walker navigates purely by the waymarks but also carries up to date maps to a scale of atleast 1:50000 and the walker comes prepared with compass. The OS Landranger maps relevant to the walk are Nos. 78,79,73,74 & 67. There are in addition specific maps and guide books for the Southern Upland Way:- Author: Anthony Burton ISBN 185410 4551 - £12.99 Author: Roger Smith ISBN 011495 1705 - £17.50 The website has "not to scale" maps for the two sections not commensurate with the Southern Upland Way. Moffat to Dumcrieff Netherdale to Tweedbank Terrain This has been divided into a section for each of the days, and may be helpful for those who are undertaking only parts of the route. Section Sub section Terrain 1 Moffat to Potburn Short section on minor road before field, hill path and forestry walk then open hill. This can be wet in parts, and the walk is strenuous with considerable ascents. At points there is little shelter , and walkers need to be well prepared for changing weather conditions. There is a bothy at Over Phawhope. Walking boots are essential Potburn to Scabcleuch This is all on a tarmac single track road, descending gradually by the side of Ettrick Water. This is on an easy walking surface, but the area is exposed and weather conditions can be variable with little shelter. Scabcleuch to Tibbie Shiels All on hill paths, with considerable ascents to reach the highest point at Earl's Hill. This is also limited in terms of shelter and good protective gear is required. Walking boots are esssential. 2 Tibbie Shiels to A708 Generally on level paths with easy walking. Toward the end the way is on a single track hard core drive. A708 to Traquair Over hill paths and in open countryside where there is little shelter from the weather. Good walking boots and clothes are required. Last mile on a minor road. 3 Traquair via Three Brethren to Yair Starts on track, then onto hill path. This can be wet in parts and on occasions stoney. Walking boots are essential and good waterproof clothing needed as this can be an exposed area. 3 Three Brethren to Selkirk Heather clad hills dropping down to wooded and grazing fields before a short section of pavement walking in Selkirk. Walking boots are essential and good waterproof clothing needed as this can be an exposed area. Yair to Galashiels Track then onto open grazing moorland and hills. Some limited paths in woodland. Walking boots strongly recommended and protective wear should be carried. 4 Galashiels to Melrose Mainly on hard surfaces although some field and river paths. Walking boots are recommended. This tends to be all at a relatively low level so the need to carry clothing for unexpected weather changes is not so important. 3 Selkirk to Melrose This section is running with the Borders Abbeys Way and is Waymarked. The route has golf course, farming land, grazing fields and lochside walking as well as some single track roads. The earlier part of the section is more exposed and we recommend walking boots and good protective clothing when the weather is uncertain. Melrose to Lauder This is on rough track and paths and over open grazing moorland. Walking boots essential and be prepared for changing weather conditions over high moorland. 5 Lauder to Watch Water Moorland grass paths and tracks then stoney hill paths. Walking boots essential and good outdoor clothing required as this is another exposed and open section. Watch Water to Longformacus This is on a minor road. Boots are recommended but not essential. 6 Longformacus to A1 Mixture of open moorland and hill paths with some forestry sections on well made up tracks. This is subject to frequent but not too demanding inclines. Walking boots are needed and walkers should have protective clothing for what could be changeable weather conditions. A1 to Cockburnspath Forest track and country paths, which can be slippy in wet weather. Walking boots are recommended. Weather This can vary from day to day and area to area. Some of the walk is in open hills and high level moorlands, so mist and low cloud can make visibility and navigation more difficult. The weather may also be bright and in this circumstance there are only limited sections where the trees will afford a break from sunlight. For information on the weather forecast within the region you can call Weathercall. (This is a premium rate telephone service run by the Met Office.) Relevant Regions and Dial Numbers: Region Walking Day Dial Number South West Scotland 1-2 09068 232 790 Edinburgh, Fife, Lothaisn & Borders 2-6 09068 232 792 Alternatively access the Met Office Website. Communications Communications in the form of mobile phone cannot be relied upon throughout the route but are generally available at the start and end points. There are variations between the various networks. Section Mobile Signal Public/Emergency Telephone Moffat to Tibbie Shiels O2 strong around Moffat but Orange weak. Signals lost shortly after Moffat Water. Signal regained on final descent into Tibbie Shiels Available at Moffat and Tibbie Shiels Ensure that there is knowledge left of where you are walking and an expected time of arrival, as this is a remote part of the way. Tibbie Shiels to Traquair Signal strong along St Mary's Loch Available at Tibbie Shiels and Traquair Traquair to Galashiels Generally good but a blank area around the Minch Moor Available at Traquair, Yair Bridge and Galashiels Traquair to Selkirk Generally good but a blank area around the Minch Moor and on the descent to Selkirk Available at Traquair, and Selkirk Selkirk to Lauder Generally good with only limited blank spots at the start but becoming patchy in the middle section from Melrose to Lauder Available at Selkirk, Abbotsford, Melrose and Lauder Galashiels to Lauder Becoming patchy in the middle section from Melrose to Lauder Available at Galashiels, Melrose and Lauder Lauder to Longformacus Still to report Available at Lauder and Longformacus Ensure that there is knowledge left of where you are walking and an expected time of arrival, as this is a remote part of the way. Longformacus to Cockburnspath Signals available at start, at Abbey St Bathans and approaching the A1. From the A1 most of the way is within a strong signal. Available at Longformacus, Abbey St Bathans, Pease Bay and Cockburnspath Refreshments On sections 1, 2, 3, and 5, there are no facilities for refreshment along the route. On section 4 refreshments are available at Melrose. On section 6 refreshments of a more limited form are available in Abbey St Bathans and them at Pease Bay. The only other areas that the walk passes other than those mentioned above where shops exist is Tweedbank, so walkers need to be prepared each day with adequate liquid and food stocks. Also remember that at Tibbie Shiels, Traquair and Longformacus there are only limited shop facilities. Emergency Precautions The walk takes you over hills, high moorland and into remote forests where you are unlikely to see many other individuals. This may be one of the charms of this walk, but it is also important to recognise that assistance in an emergency will not necesarily be at hand. We also know that mobile telephone reception can be poor or non existant in some of the remoter areas, sometimes being possible with one service provider and not with another. It is therefore strongly recommended that walkers leave word with someone on the route being taken and the expected time of arrival at the days destination. We also recommend that each group has one person carrying some basic first aid kit, and that the group has water and some high energy food in case of having to stop awaiting assistance. Proper outdoor clothing is required as on inclement days a walker could become very wet and cold without the right protection.

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