Scottish Borders & Abbeys

Introduction
East Coast Scotland
This wonderful self-guided cycling holiday of the Scottish Borders takes you from the border town of Berwick upon Tweed upstream along the Tweed River staying in Kelso and Melrose. What makes the Scottish Borders so special for a cycle tour is its many little country roads and lanes and the regions low population.

The region of the Scottish Borders is a relatively flat region but full of historic buildings, including 4 famous ancient abbeys: Kelso, Jedburgh, Dryburgh and Melrose.  Many historic houses (Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House, Paxton House, Manderston House...) are also worth a visit.

Take a cycle ride to Lindisfarne on Holy Island (tides permitting) along the ancient causeway which is covered at high tide. The island was the final stage of the route taken by St Cuthbert in the 6th century which then started the Celtic Christianity on the Island.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so you will sleep in different accommodations along the trail.

Description
You will stay in 3/4 star hotels, guests houses, country inns and bed and breakfast. Occasionally we have to book a nearby village in peak times which would mean a shorter day and a long days walk the next day.
Our handpicked accommodations are chosen for their accessibility to the route and warmth of welcome. We try and find accommodation which is interesting, and we are sure all our providers of accommodation will show an active interest in your tour progress.

We try and provide en-suite rooms where possible but on occasions, this may not be possible on some tours. If you insist on an en-suite room then please provide this request during the booking process.

Accommodation Itinerary for Road bike option - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Accommodation in Berwick upon Tweed
Night 3 & 4: Accommodation in Kelso
Night 5 & 6: Accommodation in Melrose or Galashiels

Accommodation Itinerary for Standard option - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Accommodation in Berwick upon Tweed
Night 3 & 4: Accommodation in Kelso
Night 5 & 6: Accommodation in Melrose or Galashiels

Room Occupancy
All our prices are based on two persons sharing a twin/double room. However, single persons are most welcome but incur a supplement.


Meals
Your package includes all breakfasts. Lunches and dinners are not included and should be paid locally.

We try and provide en-suite rooms where possible but on occasions, this may not be possible on some tours. If you insist on an en-suite room then please provide this request during the booking process.


Special diets

Riding

Insurance
It is essential that you have adequate travel insurance that you have purchased to cover cancellations, accidents, and repatriation etc. You will need to provide details (insurer, policy number and medical emergency telephone number) of the insurance you have purchased.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you have purchased covers you for your particular activity. We will not accept liability for any costs, losses or expenses which you incur as a result in not getting the correct level of cover.

Bike
If you choose to rent a bike with us, we usually use Scott Speedster 20Disc (road bikes), Scott Hybrid (Sub Cross 40) or E-bikes (Sub Tour eRide) on this tour.
Bikes come with a small bag, map or smart phone carrier (1 per 2 bikes), inner tube, lock, tools, bottle carrier.
We must be notified in advance if guests wish to fix own pedals or saddles to our bikes.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: Road bike option - subject to changes

Bike handover is usually on the morning of Day 2, at your first accommodation (between 8:30 and 9:00 am).

Day 1: Arrival
Please, make your own way to your accommodation in Berwick upon Tweed, the border town on the coast and on the River Tweed.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Berwick upon Tweed

Day 2: Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle Loop
Today’s ride takes you down the coast southwards to Holy Island. Tide permitting, you can cycle across the causeway to Lindisfarne. This route was taken by St Cuthbert in the 6th century.
After your visit you ride further south to Bamburgh Castle. Now you cycle inland and northwards back to Berwick.
Distance: 91 km / 57 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Berwick upon Tweed

Day 3: Berwick upon Tweed to Kelso 
This morning, cycle north to the pretty seaside village of Eyemouth. Enjoy a coffee before heading inland on the edge of hills towards Kelso. Now you follow country lanes westwards to Kelso passing Duns where you can visit the Jim Clark Museum. Jim Clark was a famous rally driver and once per year there is a weekend Rally which takes place in the area.
You can visit Kelso Abbey or take a short ride outside Kelso and visit Floors castle.
Distance: 81 km / 50 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Kelso 

Day 4: Loop ride via Jedburgh
Today you follow the route to Jedburgh to visit its ancient Abbey and Museums. You first head west before climbing to Kirk Yetholm. Here, you will climb over the Cheviot Hills towards Jedburgh to just over 300m.
After your visit to Jedburgh and maybe a spot of lunch in a nice cafe or pub you head east again back to Kelso. If you did not have time yesterday you can visit Floors Castle.
Distance: 74 km / 46 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Kelso 

Day 5: Kelso to Melrose/Galashiels
If you missed a visit to Floors Castle you can make a visit today before setting off. You shall cycle north towards lauder where you can take a visit to Thirlestane Castle. Then, you climb up over to Stow before heading southwards again to the River Tweed Valley and to Melrose. You pass Abbotsford House just before Melrose, this is the home of Sir Walter Scott the famous Scottish writer.
Distance: 64 km / 40 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Melrose or Galashiels

Day 6: Melrose/Galashiels Loop
Today you experience the wonderful remote border hills, long and gentle climbs. First you cycle upstream of the Tweed to Innerleithen where you can visit Traquair House or take a coffee stop. Then, you start the 2 gentle climb southwards crossing the Yarrow Valley, each around 5km long. Now you are in the Ettrick Valley where you cycle downstream towards Selkirk and onto Melrose.
Distance: 87 km / 53 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Melrose or Galashiels

Day 7: Departure
Make your own transfer arrangeents.
Meals included: Breakfast 

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Sample Itinerary: Standard option - subject to changes

Bike handover is usually on the morning of Day 2, at your first accommodation (between 8:30 and 9:00 am).

Day 1: Arrival
Please, make your own way to your accommodation in Berwick upon Tweed, the border town on the coast and on the River Tweed.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Berwick upon Tweed

Day 2: Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle Loop
Today’s ride takes you down the coast southwards to Holy Island. Tide permitting, you can cycle across the causeway to Lindisfarne. This route was taken by St Cuthbert in the 6th century.
After your visit you ride further south to Bamburgh Castle. Now you cycle inland and northwards back to Berwick.
Distance: 31 km / 49 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Berwick upon Tweed

Day 3: Berwick upon Tweed to Kelso 
You follow the Tweed upstream towards Kelso. Your route today allows you to visit potentially two stately homes: Paxton House and Manderston House. Both visits are very interesting.
Then, you follow the country lanes westwards to Kelso. You can visit Kelso Abbey or take a short ride outside Kelso and visit Floors castle.
Distance: 51 km / 32 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Kelso 

Day 4: Loop ride via Jedburgh
Today you follow the route to Jedburgh to visit its ancient Abbey and Museums. You will have a few small climbs to negotiate as you are on the edge of the Cheviot Hills. After you visit to Jedburgh and maybe a spot of lunch in a nice café or pub you head east again back to Kelso. If you did not have time yesterday you can visit Floors Castle.
Distance: 74 km / 46 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Kelso 

Day 5: Kelso to Melrose/Galashiels
Today’s ride is a little shorter. Head upstream of the River Tweed to Melrose passing the Dryburgh Abbey.
On arrival visit the ancient abbey and look around the quaint streets of the town.
Distance: 24-31 km / 15-19 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Melrose or Galashiels

Day 6: Melrose/Galashiels Loop
Today is a beautiful circular ride taking on Clovenfords and Stow. You will have a few climbs to negotiate but none are that strenuous. You shall notice now that the countryside is more rolling.
Just outside Melrose you can visit Abbotsford House, this is the home of Sir Walter Scott the famous Scottish writer.
Distance: 47 km / 29 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Melrose or Galashiels

Day 7: Departure
Make your own transfer arrangeents.
Meals included: Breakfast 

Rates and Dates for Scottish Borders & Abbeys

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Berwick upon Tweed
Airport: Edinburgh
Transfer:

Climate:
                                               Kelso area