One of our Favourite walks – Melrose to St Boswells via Mertoun Bridge

Many of our guests stay with us to walk, not just the St Cuthbert’s Way which starts at Melrose Abbey and finishes on Holy Island, but the many other walks around Melrose and further afield in the Scottish Borders. It’s not just the beauty of the landscape that attracts guests to return but also the fact that more often than not you will have it all to yourself and be able to totally unwind and relax.

As a family we love to walk in our leisure time. One of our favourite walks is Melrose to Mertoun Bridge just outside St Boswells. So, we thought we would outline the route for you to entice you to visit or indeed return to this beautiful part of the world, unwind and take in the amazing landscape of the rolling hills of the Borders.

Start your walk by going out of Melrose past the Ship Inn and up to the Melrose Bypass. Cross the road and off to the left you will see of to the left-hand side, a road which is known locally as the Boglie Hill or ‘Up over The Boglie Burn Road’! Walk up the road and you will soon pass the stone of Thomas the Rhymer. Thomas Rhymer was a Scottish laird in the 13th century with a reputation for prophecy and supernatural powers – he famously prophesied the death of King Alexander III. The Rhymer’s Stone is a large stone inscribed with the legend of Thomas the Rhymer. It was erected by the Melrose Literary Society in 1929 and marks the site of the Eildon Tree, under which, legend says, Thomas The Rhymer met the Faerie Queen.

Carry on up the hill and you will come to Eildon Village nestled into the Eildon Hills. Carry on down the hill and you will come to Newton St Boswells (once the site of the railway station for St Boswells) the village is now home of Scottish Borders Council. Carry through the village and out again crossing the A68. There are clear signs for the safest places to safely cross the road. On the other side take a left down the hill to the River Tweed. You will see a beautiful white building on the hill, Tweed Horizons which is now a business centre but started out in life as a monastery. Meander down the hill and you will arrive at the River Tweed. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the river here at Dryburgh, loved by locals and visitors alike. Cross the river by the attractive suspension bridge we recommend you take photos. To your left you will see the Eildons and to the right down the river and Dryburgh. Over the bridge you will see the Temple of the Muses. The Temple is dedicated to the Ednam born, poet and playwright James Thomson. James Thomson is the author of “The Seasons” and the lyrics of Rule Britannia. Although less well-known today James Thomson was very famous in his own time. Up the hill you pass gates which was once an orchard and go up the hill. At the top take a left which is signposted Dryburgh Abbey. Dryburgh Abbey is one of the famous Border Abbey’s and the resting place for Sir Walter Scott. It is well worth a visit and again has spectacular views of the River Tweed.

Past the Abbey you will see a path that takes you down to the river. Turn left and the path takes you along the River Tweed to Mertoun Bridge and across the river you will see St Boswells golf course. Follow the path which is sign posted and it will take you to Merton Bridge. Cross the bridge. At the far side you can either take a left or a right both paths will take you to St Boswells. We do take turns which path we take but suggest you take the left one down the steps to the River Tweed and take the path along by St Boswells Golf Course. Once on the golf course take the path by the side of the course which is clearly signposted. Then perhaps the most arduous part of the walk is St Boswells Golf course hill used by many local rugby players to train by running up and down it! We don’t suggest you do this. But locals have supplied a seat at the top of the hill so you can catch your breath and also take in the wonderful view across the River Tweed to the Eildons. Carry on along this road and down the hill and you will find yourself in the middle of St Boswells village. Here we suggest you enjoy a well-earned treat at the award-winning book shop and deli Mainstreet Trading. As well as the bookshop they have a wonderful café and are renowned for their coffee and cakes. We particularly like the chocolate Guinness cake. Though their soup and savoury dishes are also scrumptious. We suggest you take time to browse in both the bookshop and deli.

Then you have two choices you can either walk back to Melrose by leaving St Boswells take a left and walk along the A68 till you get to the Newtown St Boswells crossing and again cross and retrace your steps by going through the village and up the Boglie Hill again. Or if you are laden with books and want a well-earned rest then take the short bus trip back to Melrose. St Boswells bus station is situated in the middle of the village and there are regular buses to Melrose run by Borders buses.

This is a walk we have done many times and yet each time we learn a bit more about the history and also the wildlife and nature along the banks of the River Tweed. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
(Approx. 7 miles)

Photo Credits: VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins / Kenny Lam / Main Street Trading