Forrest Mallard - May 13, 2021

Berwickshire Coastal Path
Scotland/England
Start: Cockburnspath, Scotland
End: Berwick-upon-Tweed, England
Distance: 28 miles (45km)
Time: 2-4 days
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Surface: Paths, Trails, Dirt Roads

Download the Berwickshire Coastal Path Trail Guide HERE

Berwickshire Coastal Path Scotland 01

It’s not often you pass a revolutionary milestone in the history of science, but that happens as you approach Siccar Point shortly after departing Cockburnspath on the Berwickshire Coastal Path. It was here in 1788 that geologists James Hutton and James Hall, and mathematician John Mayfair, hired a boat and confirmed Hutton’s Theory of the Earth. After observing horizontal layers of a segment of young, coastal red sandstone that overlaid older, steeply pitched, sedimentary rocks called Greywacke, they contradicted the creationists’ “Young Earth” theory. Those same rocks are still there, and should not be missed as you walk this wonderful trail.

Berwickshire Coastal Path Scotland 02

From the sedimentary wonders of Sidecar Point, it’s on to St. Helen’s Church with its links to the Reformation, as you head south and slightly inland. A side trail takes you to the remains of fifteenth-century Fast Castle, four miles (6.4 km) northwest of Coldingham atop its lonely, rounded promontory that was visited by Mary Queen of Scots in 1566 and provided the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott’s “Wolf’s Crag” in his novel The Bride of Lammermoor (1819).

Berwickshire Coastal Path Scotland 03

Then it’s up over Tun Law-at 492 feet (150 m), the highest sea cliff in east Britain-and the site of two Iron Age forts, before visiting Gunsgreen House, designed by John Adams and built in the 1750s by smuggler John Nisbet. The Berwickshire Coastal Path makes a short detour down Creel Path near St. Abbs, where fishermen once carried their gear to their boats, Continuing through the St. Abbs Head Nature Reserve, a series of easy descents lead from farmlands to beaches. Pause in Eyemouth’s reinvigorated harbor, then cross the English border into Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Image

Hi! I'm Forrest Mallard

In 2005, I moved to Quito, Ecuador with $35 in my pocket and a small handful of online clients. Fifteen years and five continents later, there were moments of absolute glamour, as well as a number of brutal rough patches. But I always felt that a horrible day of travel is infinitely more preferable than a great day at the office. Oh the stories I could tell, and I will try to do that here in Tramposaurus Treks. You'll have access to the good times, the horrifying times, and a few well-deserved moments of travel glamour.

Read more

JOIN THE EXCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OF TRAMPS

Sign up for the monthly newsletter, with the latest travel news and special offers, and receive bonus gifts to get you started.

    reasons to subscribe

    Save on your hotel - hotelscombined.com

    TRAVEL PLANNING

    Travel Planning Resources

    ARCHIVES

    SIMILAR BLOGS

    April 24, 2021

    Art Nouveau in Budapest

    Art Nouveau defines Budapest in much the same way as skyscrapers define New York. Here is a guide that will...

    Read more
    October 30, 2020

    Haunted Hikes

    A thorough list of haunted trails from around the world that I have discovered through the years. From haunted British...

    Read more
    July 12, 2020

    Hidden Gems of Seward

    Seward, Alaska - a breathtaking land shaped by glaciers, and nestled between mountains and ocean. Well-known as the 'gateway' to...

    Read more
    June 10, 2020

    Hidden Gems of Tallinn

    Put on your walking shoes, hit the streets, and discover the Hidden Gems of Tallinn, Estonia. Secret places only the...

    Read more
    May 29, 2020

    Slovenian Mountain Trail

    This stunning, long-distance trail winds across the mountains of Slovenia. The trail passes through this country’s best scenery, including the...

    Read more
    May 29, 2020

    Camino Francés

    The French Way (Camino Francés) and the Routes of Northern Spain are the courses which are listed in the World...

    Read more
    September 3, 2021

    Planeterra Trek Challenge

    Planeterra Trek ChallengeVirtual EventRegistration: $25Web: www.planeterra.org Planeterra Launches Second Annual Virtual Trek ChallengeCommunity tourism non-profit, Planeterra, launched its second annual Planeterra Trek...

    Read more
    July 26, 2021

    Camino Portuguese

    The Camino Portuguese is one route of the Camino de Santiago network. The bulk of this Camino passes through Portugal.

    Read more
    July 21, 2021

    Edie [2019]

    Grande dame of British entertainment, Sheila Hancock (aged 84), climbed through the Scottish Highlands for the filming of this movie.

    Read more