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ROMAN HERITAGE WAY
Crailinghall - Melrose


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.

Oxnam Water close to Cappuck

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.

Waterloo Monument on Peniel Heugh

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.

Monteviot Suspension Bridge

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.

Forest path north of Harestanes

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.

River Tweed close to Tweed Horizons

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.

Trimontium Amphitheatre

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.

Roman Altar Stone

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.

Trimontium Millennium 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.

Mercat Cross - Melrose

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.

Bowden

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.

Descending from the Eildons, looking down to Melrose

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.

Trimontium site highlighted next to the village of Newstead

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.

Melrose Market Square

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.

© Copyright, design & maintained by I-Net Support       Latest update - March 2006

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