St Abbs Head
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St Abbs Head
Introduction | Travelling| Peebles | Biggar | Tweed Valley | Melrose | Selkirk | Jedburgh | Hawick | Kelso | Coldstream | Duns | Eyemouth | St Abbs Head | Berwick upon Tweed
===Introduction to St Abbs Head=== Phone code: +44 (0)1890
Three miles north of Eyemouth on the A1107 is the village of Coldingham , notable only for its medieval priory, founded by King Edgar in 1098, then rebuilt in the 13th century before suffering further attacks in 1545 and 1648. The remaining sections have been incorporated into the present parish church.
Here the B6438 turns north and winds its way down to the picturesque little fishing village of St Abbs, nestled beneath steep cliffs. There's a little museum and a Visitor Centre for the Marine Reserve in the Old School House - open summer, hours vary with volunteer staff. St Abbs is also a good base for divers wishing to explore the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve. There are a number of boats offering dive charters as well as birdwatching boat trips. Try Peter Gibson, Tel 018907-71681, Alistair Crowe, Tel 018907-71412, Billy Atkinson, Tel 018907-71288, or ask down at the harbour.
Just north of the village is the St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve (NTS), which comprises almost 200 acres of wild coastline with sheer cliffs inhabited by large colonies of guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars and razorbills. To get to the reserve, follow the trail from the car park at Northfield Farm on the road into St Abbs. The path ends at the lighthouse, about a mile from the car park. An excellent coastal walk, from Burnmouth, south of Eyemouth, to St Abbs is described below. A side road turns off the B6438 at Coldingham and leads a mile down to the coast at Coldingham Sands, a tiny resort with a fine sandy beach. It's a popular spot for surfing and diving. The dive shop at Scoutscroft Holiday Centre, Tel 71669, rents out equipment and runs diving courses.
Sleeping and eating
Sleeping and eating In St Abbs there's the excellent E Castle Rock Guest House, Murrayfield, on the cliffs above the harbour, Tel 771715; and nearby is E Wilma Wilson's B&B, 7 Murrayfield, Tel 771468. There is also bunkhouse accommodation at F The Rock House Dive Centre, Tel 71288, right on the harbour. At Coldingham Sands is C Dunlaverock Country House Hotel, Tel 771450, a small, comfortable hotel offering excellent food.
There's also a F youth hostel at Coldingham Sands, on the cliffs above the south end of the bay, Tel 771298, open mid-Mar to end Sep. There are a few campsites, including Scoutscroft Holiday Centre, Tel 771338, open Mar-Nov, which also rents diving equipment and offers courses. A good place to eat if you're going to St Abb's Head is Northfield Farm Visitor Centre by the car park, which has a pleasant tea room with tables outside. There is also a good pottery and a gallery/artist's workshop. Hours vary.
Self Catering Cottages in St Abbs
- ST ABBS - Berwickshire Sleeps 6
- Pettico Wick Sleeps 4
Transport
Buses between Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed pass through Coldingham several times daily. There's also an hourly service between St Abbs, Coldingham, Eyemouth and Berwick. Traveline, Tel 0870-6082608
Burnnouth to St Abbs coastal walk
The Berwickshire coast offers some good walking opportunities along high cliffs with lots of birdlife to see. This walk starts at Burnmouth, a few miles south of Eyemouth. To get there, take the hourly bus service from Coldingham, which connects in Berwick with services to other Border towns. The seven-mile route is waymarked and is mostly on good paths, though there is some rough ground. Allow about four hours and take care at some points along the clifftop.
To get to the cliff path, get off the bus at Burnmouth primary school, go through the gate by the houses and walk up the side of the field. Continue along the path towards Eyemouth, past some dramatic scenery at Fancove Head, the highest point of the cliffs, at 338 ft. When you reach the golf course, follow the signs around the seaward edge and then left across the golf course, then right towards Eyemouth harbour.
Cross the bridge near the lifeboat mooring and walk along the quayside to the end of the promenade, where you cross a short section of beach and then climb the steps to the headland and the remains of Eyemouth Fort. Walk around the seaward side of the Caravan Park and turn right to cross the fields and then return to the cliff path. The path descends to Linkum Shore and crosses the beach. Follow it around Yellow Craig to reach Coldingham Bay. At the far end of the bay, climb the steps and then follow the tarmac path which leads to the village of St Abbs. From here you can follow Creel Path to reach the B6438, and from there it's a short walk into Coldingham. Berwick-upon-Tweed.