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This section of the Way is 14 miles (22 Km) in length crossing the
Teviot River and walking along the banks of the Tweed. The starting
altitude is 100m rising to the highest altitude at 320m
and ending at 110m.
The Way resumes at the Oxnam Water crossing the river by way of a pedestrian bridge. The way is straight for some distance but due to the undulating nature of the countryside the views are always changing.
After crossing some minor roads the walk emerges from the side of a forest on high ground overlooking the Teviot River. On the far side stands the Waterloo Monument on Peniel Heugh, a constant feature on the landscape for much of this section.
The Way drops down to a main road then crosses and follows the Jed
Water to its junction with the Teviot.
Deviating from the straight NW direction the walk tracks up the banks
of the Teviot to the modern suspension bridge over the river then up
through attractive woods surrounding Monteviot House before resuming
the line of Dere Street running to the west of Peniel Heugh.
The Way now climbs slightly and remains in attractive forestry for a short while before emerging into open farmland that runs all the way to Lilliards Stone.
The path at this stage sticks to the St Cuthbert's Way waymarks but at
the Longnewton to Maxton road crossing remain in the wood and proceed
straight ahead ignoring the St Cuthbert's Way sign to the right.
Continue till the path merges with the A68, then using the grass verge
walk the 1 Km into St Boswells entering onto the village green.
At the NE corner of the Green close to the shops, pick up once again
the St Cuthbert's Way signs and drop down to the River Tweed. There
follows an attractive and varied river walk past Dryburgh Abbey (on the
opposite bank) to a point close to Newtown St Boswells. At this point
the route offers an option to the walker.
The official route remains on the banks of the River Tweed for
another short distance before heading onto the Trimontium Fort area.
If you want to add a further mile to the length and a hill ascent and descent follow the St Cuthbert's Way
waymarking into Newtown and then onwards to Bowden. For this option click here.
The now defined official route remains for a short distance further on the banks of the River Tweed until a forest and a sign for the Ravenswood Estate force the path to leave the rivers edge and rise to the side of a private golf course. At this point the route picks up the old track bed of a now disused railway line heading in a norhterly direction. Having negotiated two road crossings the track arrives at the NE edge of the Trimontium site.
The Trimontium Fort is not visible above ground but there are several display boards adjacent to the walking route that will describe what these fields must have looked like in Roman times. The way now descends to a tarred roadway that is now closed to traffic and follwong this the route passes beside the discovered Roman Amphitheatre then passes a reproduction Roman Altar Stone.
This was a big Roman camp and the display boards will tell the visitor about the several stages in the camps development.
Soon the walk reaches the NW corner where there is a Millenium Pillar.
The village of Newstead has a long history and association with the Romans and then with the later Masons who came to Melrose to build the 12 century Abbey. You are now on the final walk into Melrose, where there is a host of accommodation and eating places in which to relax after a great walking experience.
On this final mile enjoy the beauty of the Tweeed valley and the magnificence of the Abbey Ruins.
Having reached the Abbey the market Square is only a two minute walk away.
In the Market Square is the Ormiston Institute and within this building is the Trimontium Museum, our Official end point of the Way.
The Museum is worth a visit, it containing many artifacts from the Roman Site that has just been passed along with extensive details on the archaeological work that has been carried out over the years.
OPTIONAL ROUTE OVER EILDON HILLS
Bowden is an attractive residential village on the south side of the
Eildon Hills. From here there are dramatic views south back over to
the Cheviot Hills, that have dominated the way on previous sections,
and to Peniel Heugh and the majestic Waterloo Monument.
The centre of the village has an attractive stone watering point and at
this junction the Way leads north into the Common.
The Eildon hills consist of three peaks, the way leading to the west
corner of the smallest then tracking along its base before climbing
through woods to then emerge on a path up the "Saddle", this is the
common point between the North and Mid Hills. At this point the views
are down into the Tweed valley and the community of Melrose with its
attractive Abbey Ruins as a centrepiece.
As the walk descends look up to the North Hill, this was a Roman
signalling point and is directly above and to the south of the
Trimontium Fort. Lower down and to the east there are views along the
Tweed and to the village of Newstead. This is where Trimontium is
located and the picture shows the outline of the area where the fort
was built.
The Way is now almost complete and with only a field and then some
wooden steps to negotiate the Way leads into the Market Square of this
attractive Border Town. In the Market Square is the Three Hills Roman
Heritage Museum, packed with interesting artefacts and interest of the
Roman's time here at Trimontium.
Although the Roman's did venture north of Trimontium this is the most
northerly fort that was occupied over an extended period.
Navigate to each section of the walk using the right hand section
buttons.
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I-Net Support Latest update - March 2006
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