Walks in South Scotland

Some of Scotland’s Great Trails can be found in Ayrshire & Arran, the Kintyre peninsula, Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders.          
These are waymarked routes which you can complete over several days or simply walk along the sections of your choice. Many of them have unique historical connections.

Staying with Scotland's Best B&Bs means you can explore some of the varied landscapes in the south of Scotland which are perfect for walking holidays. Many of our B&Bs are part of the Walkers Welcome scheme by VisitScotland and they can offer places to dry your kit if you get caught out in the rain.

The Eildon hills on St Cuthbert's Way near Mill House B&B       
Photo by VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Mill House B&B near Kelso is situated near 2 walking trails - St Cuthbert's Way Trail and the Pennine Way which crosses into the north of England. Your hosts can arrange drop off / pick up if you are needing transport to / from the route.

Long distance walking paths in Southern Scotland

• The Kintyre Way - a new route from Tarbert on the Mull of Kintyre to Dunaverty Bay in south Argyll (100 miles).
• Isle of Arran Coastal Way - this is a continuous path around the island (65 miles) which can also done as 7 different walks on day excursions.
• Ayrshire Coastal Path - with stunning scenery from Glenapp to Skelmorlie (106 miles)        
  B&Bs nearby include Ayrs & Graces Bed & Breakfast in Alloway
• River Ayr Way - this was Scotland's first source to sea long distance path. It follows the river from its source at Glenbuck Loch to Ayr (44 miles).        
  B&Bs nearby include Ayrs & Graces Bed & Breakfast in Alloway
• Annandale Way - a short trail through southern Scotland from Moffat to the Solway Firth (56 miles).        
  B&Bs nearby include Southpark House in Dumfries
• Berwickshire Coastal Path - this route explores the spectacular coastline from Cockburnspath in the Borders to Berwick-upon-Tweed (30 miles)        
  B&Bs nearby include Mill House B&B near Kelso

St Abb's Head on the Berwickshire Coastal Path near Mill House B&B       
Photo by VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

• Borders Abbeys Way - this route links the historic ruined abbeys of Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburgh (68 miles).        
  B&Bs nearby include Mill House B&B near Kelso
• Cross Borders Drove Road - from Little Vantage to Hawick, this route was taken by the drovers who took cattle to markets south of the border (52 miles).        
  B&Bs nearby include Mill House B&B near Kelso
• St. Cuthbert's Way - an historic trail from Melrose (Scottish Borders) to Holy Island and Lindisfarne in northern England (62 miles).        
  B&Bs nearby include Mill House B&B near Kelso
• The Southern Upland Way - this long-distance trail links the west and east coasts from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath (212 miles).
• Sir Walter Scott Way - this cross country walk follows some of the The Southern Upland Way and stretches from Moffat to Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders (92 miles).
• Mull of Galloway Trail - starting from Scotland's most southerly point on the Mull of Galloway, the route follows coastal and farmland sections via Stranraer to Glenapp in South Ayrshire (37 miles) where it links with the Ayrshire Coastal Path.
• Romans and Reivers Route - originally designed as a route for horse riders, it is also suitable for walkers and cyclists. It begins in Dumfries and Galloway at Ae Forest and ends in Hawick in the Borders (52 miles). It follows old Roman roads, forest tracks, drove roads and lanes through historic Reivers country. Various sections can connect with the Annandale Way, the Southern Upland Way and the Cross Borders Drove Road.        
  B&Bs nearby include Nithbank Country Estate in Dumfries & Galloway and Mill House B&B near Kelso

Walking Festivals and Events in 2024 in Southern Scotland

Arran Mountain Festival 
17 - 20 May 2024, Isle of Arran

Newton Stewart Walking Festival 
10 - 16 May 2024 
Walking the Galloway hills in southern Scotland with around 30 routes over 7 days plus a programme of evening social events.

Scottish Borders Walking Festival 
tbc early September 2024 
A week long celebration of walking in the Borders countryside.

Walk Moffat          
27 - 29 September 2024

Galashiels Walking Festival 
tbc October 2024 
Annual walking festival in the Scottish Borders.

Please remember to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and respect the environment you are visiting. Please be responsible as you travel through the landscape and local communities. It's also very important to be well prepared for any type of weather you may encounter and be able to navigate with a map and compass.     
#RespectProtectEnjoy #LeaveNoTrace

Walks in Scotland:   
Walks in Central Scotland --- Walks in North Scotland