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Scotland

Southern Upland Way (Eastern Section) – 6 Nights

April, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct£1139 pp

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SUMMARY

Southern Upland Way (Eastern Section) – 6 Nights

No. of People: 1

PAYMENT

PAY TODAY £

TOTAL £999

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Walking the eastern section of this amazing Coast to Coast trail takes you from the border town of Beattock to the coastal town of Cockburnspath in 6 days. It takes you across some of the most varied and at times, challenging terrain from loch side to sea cliffs, open moorland with forest trails to old Drover’s ways. You will experience the rolling hills with the occasional fell, offering some breathtaking views – so worth the climb. A great achievement when this section of the walk is completed.

Please be aware that following the Way in good conditions is generally straightforward but does require some skills in map reading and compass work.

Quick Facts

  • 6 nights’ accommodation
  • 6 days’ walking
  • Luggage transfers each walking day
  • Map and guidebook plus detailed directions to your accommodation from the trail
  • Expert local knowledge and 24-hour emergency assistance during your trip
  • 95 miles (153km) and 3950m (12,959ft) of accent
  • The walk takes you across the lines of the hills
  • Varied walking with a mix of wild nature and human history

About & Details

The Southern Upland Way is a 215m (347km) well waymarked, coast to coast walking route starting in Portpatrick in the west via the hills of the Southern Upland Way to Cockburnspath in the east. This walk is designated as one of Scotland’s Great Trails by NatureScot. The landscape is rich and varied with a story that spans from the ice age to today. The flora and fauna you will encounter are worth researching beforehand to add to the experience. Finally, for the history lovers, don’t forget to look out for ruined abbeys; Wanlockhead, Scotland’s highest village; Traquair House, reportedly the oldest inhabited house in Scotland and Abbotsford House, the home of writer Sir Walter Scott. Something for everyone!

Although this trip is based on 2 people sharing, if you are a solo traveller, please contact us for further details and we will be happy to help. You will need full walking kit including waterproof jacket and trousers, a comfortable day sack and comfortable walking boots. You will receive a more detailed kit list upon booking. We take the stress out of your trip with expert local knowledge, hand-picked accommodation, luggage transfers and detailed support to help you find your way.

Inclusions

  • 6 nights’ accommodation in good quality B&Bs or hotels with ensuite or private bathroom and breakfast
  • Luggage transfers each walking day (1 x bag per person, max. weight limit 20kg)
  • Map and guide book plus detailed directions to your accommodation from the trail
  • Expert local knowledge and 24 hour emergency assistance during your trip
  • Professional event organisation
Exclusions
  • Travel to the start and finish points of the trip
  • Lunches and evening meals
  • Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects)
  • Guiding (please contact us if you would like this trip to be guided)

Optional extras

  • Single room supplement £90 per person per night (subject to availability).
  • Solo traveller supplement £90 per person per night
  • Odd number group supplement £90 per group per night may apply if a single room is required.
  • Extra night prior to the start (single room) £180 per person
  • Extra night prior to the start (twin room, needs 2 people) £95 per person
  • Extra night at the end of the event (single room) £180 per person
  • Extra night at the end of the event (twin room, needs 2 people) £95 per person

Please select from Optional Extras at checkout.

Getting there and back

Getting There

By road: The village of Beattock is on the M74, easily accessible from the north and south.

By public transport:
There is a mainline station just south of Beattock at Lockerbie where there are also bus services to Beattock. Check traveline.info for the latest public transport information.

By air:
The airports at Glasgow or Newcastle are serviced with good public transport to Beattock.

Getting Away

By road: From Cockburnspath, the A1 is close to destinations north or south.

By public transport:
Buses run north to Dunbar and Edinburgh (airport) and south to Berwick on Tweed (mainline trains).

By air:
There is access to Edinburgh or Newcastle airport by public transport.

Evening meals and lunches

You can purchase evening meals either at the accommodation or nearby. When our event planners send you the schedule with your itinerary you could prearrange directly with the accommodation or during the walk.

For lunches we would suggest bringing some of your own favourite snack bars and then asking the accommodation for a packed lunch for the following day and also supplementing that at stops en-route.

Accommodation

Accommodation is generally at B&B, guest houses and small hotels. Once booked in, your event planner will send you a list of your booked accommodation. It is possible to adjust according to preference at this stage so please mention it if you wish to change.

Dog-friendly

If you would like to bring your four legged friend, then we will do our best to source dog friendly accommodation. It is usually possible but if it were not, then we would suggest a change of date to enable it or offer a refund. There may be a small surcharge for the overnight stays. Therefore, once booked in, please alert your event planner that you would like to bring your dog and we can proceed from there.

Need a guide?

If you would prefer to have a guide for your walk, even just for one day, then we are happy to help. We can provide a qualified leader (also first aid qualified) to lead your trek or on just one of the sections. Just ask us.
A guide can not only take the stress out of navigation, but you will also find them a great asset in terms of providing an insight into all things environment and nature.

Dates and prices

For available dates please see the ‘book now’ option on the left hand side on desktops or at the bottom on mobiles. You can reserve your space via this route.

After you book

After placing your booking with us, you will in the first instance receive an automated email from our system confirming receipt of your reservation. If you don’t receive it, it is worth checking your spam/clutter folder.

In the process of placing your booking, you will generally set up an access password to our online gateway where you can review the details of the booking.

Your personal event planner will then be in touch with you to start to confirm the details. This contact will usually be taken up in the working day after receipt of your booking, but may, in busy times, take a little longer. The event planner will then liaise with you regarding the details of the course. If you have any specific requirements, please do mention it at this stage.

At the end of your trip

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end at some point and when you arrive at Cockburnspath, you have one of several options. If you have not booked an additional night’s stay in Cockburnspath, then we can transfer your luggage to a location of your choice. From there you may have onward travel arranged as per the ‘Getting There and Back’ tab above.

Some people like to treat themselves to a night’s stay in Cockburnspath at the end. And why not? You’ve earned it.  You can arrange this as an optional add on with your event planner.

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Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrive in Beattock/Moffat

    Arrive at your accommodation in Beattock or Moffat.

  • Day 2 - Beattock/Moffat to Scabcleuch, Ettrick Water (Pick up point 4)

    You can pick up the SUW from Moffat today but might feel that you have missed a bit, so you could back track to where you left the SUW in Beattock and then continue. The walk today, joins with the Romans and Reivers Route, meandering via Forestry Commission tracks, through the hills of Yadburgh Hill and Gateshaw Rig, where you leave the Romans and Reivers Way and continue north towards Ettrick Head. There is an alternative route via the summits of Gateshaw Rig and Croft Head, but this is weather dependent and a personal choice. Once you reach Over Phawhope, it is easy road walking to Scabcleuch, where you will be collected to go to your overnight stay.

    25km (16 miles), 750 (2500ft) of ascent

  • Day 3 - Scabcleuch, Ettrick Water to Traquair

    Your taxi will return you to where your walk finished yesterday.

    Heading up the Scabcleuch Burn, you begin one of the classic hill walks in Southern Scotland. Today you are heading up past St Mary’s Loch, Tibbie Shiels Inn and the monument of James Hogg, a well known poet associated with Southern Scotland. It’ll be good ridge walking along good paths. You will also join the Cross Borders Drove Road to bring you into Traquair where you will find your accommodation for the evening.

    28km (17 miles), 800m (2600ft) of ascent

  • Day 4 – Traquair to Melrose

    Today you continue to walk along the Cross Borders Drove Road, incorporating a climb up to Minchmoor – keep a look out for the ‘land art’. Following a stunning ridge walk, you will reach the summit of the Three Brethren 464m (1522ft) for an amazing vista. You descend to the River Tweed, cross over to Galashiels and then walk beside the river into the historic town of Melrose, where the Border Abbey’s Walk and St Cuthbert’s Way walks converge and where you will stay tonight.

    30km (18 miles), 850m (2800ft) of ascent

  • Day 5 – Melrose to Lauder

    A shorter day walking today allows for time to explore Melrose before setting off to Lauder. Walking is pretty easy going, along the line of a Roman road, having crossed the suspension bridge over the River Tweed.

    16km (10 miles), 350m (1200ft) of ascent

  • Day 6 – Lauder to Longformacus via the Lammermuir Hills

    Today is spent traversing the ancient route over the Lammermiur Hills. It offers some spectacular views, especially from the summit of Twin Law 447m (1466ft) but a lot of the walking is across heathery upland moorland, so care needs to be taken especially in poor weather. The path descends to Watch Water reservoir, followed by a farm track into Longformacus, for a good night’s sleep before embarking on the last day of your amazing trip.

    23km (15 miles), 550m (1800ft) of ascent

  • Day 7 – Longformacus to Cockburnspath

    Your final day of walking is fairly easy, through arable farmland and woodland. A quick visit to the little hamlet of Abbey St Bathans where you can see the historic church before the path heads to the fields and then crosses the A1 before joining up with the Berwickshire Coastal Path. As Pease Bay comes into sight, you know that you have achieved walking Scotland’s longest Great Trail. Just time to dip your toes into the North Sea before a celebratory drink! This is the end of your adventure, unless you have booked an extra night’s accommodation with us. Safe onward travel and well done!

    30km (19 miles), 650m (2200ft)

Notes:

This itinerary is a guide only. Timings and mileages are approximate.

We will always endeavour to accommodate you in the locations detailed in the above itinerary. Due to very high demand, some accommodation providers may occasionally have limited availability and so we may need to accommodate you in an alternative location, nearby. In this case, we will arrange a taxi transfer for you to take you from the trail to your accommodation and back again the following morning. An additional charge may be payable. We will notify you of this when confirming your booking.

The Route
Reviews

Find some of the reviews our wonderful customers have left for us below, or read them all here!

Heather Parr
3 months ago

Maximum Adventure exceeded expectations, planning a trip for me last minute and off season through the glorious Lake District. The hotels were top rate, as was the food and my daily gluten free sandwich. Nathalie got the route guide sent to me in a couple of days and the baggage service was impeccable. It was the only tour guide company that responded immediately to my last minute request. Looking forward to more adventures with your company!!!

Chris Evans
3 months ago

David and I walked the Speyside Way in September 2023 and very much enjoyed the adventure. Maximum Adventure Ltd organised our nightly accommodation and uplifting of our luggage in a seamless manner, which made the whole trip so easy with no stress. This is the second time that I have personally used Maximum Adventures Ltd and I would recommend them to others as they offer a friendly and efficient service.

Göte Fredriksson
4 months ago

We realy appreciated the tour we did on Hadrians Wall path in May.Beautiful scenery, decent weather, god arrangements including lodging, transport, bagagehandling etc. We came well prepared . In this preparation Maximum adventures gave us great support, as we are coming from abroad with no knowledge of conditions on the path. We had great BnBs and could concentrate on de daily walks that gave us great pleasure.Thank you England and Hadrians Wall path for your friendly reception and well mantained walking path.Thank you Maximum Adventures for your good service.We would love to come back in the future.

Jerry Kashinski
4 months ago

Maximum Adventure did a great job for us. With less than a month's notice, it set up an itinerary, lodging and luggage porterage for a walk from Carlisle to Newcastle, England along Hadrian's Wall. The lodging was fantastic, as was the itinerary and support during the walk. We'd definitely use Maximum Adventure again and would recommend them without reservation!

Fiona Reilly
5 months ago

I was part of a climb on 23/09, didn't think I would make ut, but I did. The descent was a different story.. I got jelly legs and lost my confidence. If it wasn't for James, my Sherpa would never have made it. Can't thank him enough, Will, met you briefly.Both of them were very knowledgeable, we had the most amazing views at the summit...the pain is still worth it and

Tom Graham
5 months ago

I walked the West Highland Way with my dad and brother. The organisation was excellent by Samantha. Itinerary and instructions were clear and all the bookings and luggage transfers went smoothly. As a result we were able to ensure the fantastic walk and not worry about anything. I would happily recommend Maximum Adventure to others.

Sarah Bracken
5 months ago

Absolutely brilliant guide - knowledgeable, interesting and humorous in addition to looking after our safety so well - making sure we ate and suggesting when to layer up! Would highly recommend!

Diana Straub
6 months ago

We just got home from our 8-days Hadrian's Wall hike and we just loved it!Everything was perfectly organized!We had great B&Bs and hotels with very friendly, welcoming and helpful staff. Our favorite was the Dacre House with Clare. But then again, all were great!The luggage was always at the day's destination, no matter how early we got to the accommodation.The description of how to get to the accommodations were clear and precise.The road map and the guide book were waiting for us as we got to the first B&B and were very helpful and interestingThanks, Maximum Adventure!

Kristin Hentschel
6 months ago

Praise for the West Highland Hike and the Maximum Adventure planners, esp. our planner Samantha. Great experience in every regard.

Simon Bradish
6 months ago

Booked for the 3 UK Peaks adventure, it was organised perfectly and everything when to plan. Accommodation was good, transport excellent, our guide (Patrick) brilliant, so cannot fault the trip and adventure. I personally expected too much from myself and was unable to fully summit as this adventure is not for beginners, I climbed Kilimanjaro in 2003 when I was 42 and twenty years later, although relatively fit, my endurance didn't last. So I did a half summit for Ben Nevis & Scafell, thanks to Patrick for letting go back down on my own, it was brilliant. With Snowdon, a half summit is tricky as you can't descend the way you go up, so I decided to do some hiking in the area while the rest of the group did the climb. I took a chance and went to the ticket office and managed to get a single return ticket up to the summit of Snowdon at 9am which returned down by 11.30am. I was hoping to see my group on top and spring a surprise but the weather was terrible. I highly recommend the trip but make sure you are fit enough otherwise as there is an emphasis on time, so a slow walk up is going to slow everyone down and really delay the trip. Have Fun, Simon Bradish

Why book with us

We know you have a choice of companies providing trips for your next adventures. Here are some of the reasons you should choose to travel with Maximum Adventure:

  • We are an established adventure travel business
  • We have been trading since 2002
  • We are financially protected in accordance with the 1992 travel regulation
  • Knowledgeable and available office staff
  • Qualified leaders and guides with ascents ranging from Ben Nevis to Mount Everest
  • All activities are risk assessed
  • We will provide you with the best service available
  • We are aware this is your holiday/your challenge and will do our best to make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience
  • We have many repeat clients stretching back over a number of years
20+ years adventure organisation experience
Full liability & financial protection
Leading provider of high quality adventure challenges
Great team of staff to support you

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