| Berwickshire Coastal Path | |
|---|---|
 Cliffs seen from the path to the north of Berwick upon Tweed. | |
| Length | 48 km (30 mi)[1][2] |
| Location | Berwickshire, Scotland and Northumberland, England |
| Designation | Scotland's Great Trails |
| Trailheads | Berwick upon Tweed55°46′16″N 2°00′25″W / 55.771°N 2.007°W Cockburnspath55°55′59″N 2°21′36″W / 55.933°N 2.360°W[3] |
| Use | Hiking |
| Elevation gain/loss | 1,060 metres (3,480 ft) gain[1] |
| Lowest point | Sea level |
| Hazards | High cliffs |
| Website | https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/berwickshirecoastalpath |
The Berwickshire Coastal Path is a walking route some 48 kilometres (30 mi) long. It follows the eastern coastline of Scotland from Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders to Berwick upon Tweed, just over the border in England.[3] At Cockburnspath the path links with the Southern Upland Way and the John Muir Way.[3]
The coastline traversed by the path is nationally and internationally important for seabirds, coastal flora and marine life: much of the coastline is protected as a Special Protection Area, and there is a national nature reserve at St Abbs Head which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland.[4][5] Strong walkers can walk the route in two days, although the walk can be split into shorter sections to allow more time to explore the towns and villages along the way.[2]
The path was developed by Scottish Borders Council, and is now designated as one of Scotland's Great Trails by NatureScot.[1] The route is waymarked, and there are four memorial statues at Eyemouth, Burnmouth, St Abbs and Cove to commemorate the 189 lives lost in the Eyemouth disaster of 14 October 1881, when a hurricane devastated the fishing fleet. Twelve bronze trail markers have also been erected along the route, linking the memorial sculptures.[2]
It connects with the Northumberland Coast Path and hence the England Coast Path at Berwick on Tweed.[6]
- ^ a b c "Trails Archive". NatureScot & Rucksack Readers. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ a b c "Berwickshire Coastal Path" (PDF). Scottish Borders Council. 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ a b c "Berwickshire Coastal Path". Walk Highlands. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- ^ "Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC". NatureScot. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ "St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve". National Trust for Scotland. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ "Northumberland Coast Path", Long Distance Walkers Association