The Ramblers' Association is Britain's biggest organisation working for walkers, a registered charity with 137,000 members across England, Scotland and Wales. We've been looking after Britain's footpaths and defending its beautiful countryside for more than 65 years byWithout the Ramblers' Association, Britain's stunning landscapes and unique path network could easily disappear. There are numerous benefits for you and ways that you can help us by joining today.


 


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Information
Long Distance Route: Scotland

Long Distance Route Thistle Icon Southern Upland Way

Portpatrick to Cockburnspath 341km/212 miles CHALLENGING

A scenic coast to coast trail through the uplands and forests of southern Scotland via Sanquar, Moffatt and Melrose. Often remote, including long stretches without facilities. Much of the route forms part of European Path E2.

Update. 2005 is the 21st anniversary of the Way, with events taking place all year, as well as the Writing the Way project to encourage people to share their experiences of the Way and submit them online, with a selection to be published in a book. For more see www.suw21.com.

Connects with St Cuthberts Way (E2), Whithorn Pilgrim Way. E2 will eventually continue via ferry link Stranraer-Larne, also connecting with Ulster Way.

Local Authorities Dumfries & Galloway, Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire

Tourist Information Centres

  • Dumfries & Galloway Tourism www.dumfriesandgalloway.co.uk
  • Scottish Borders Tourism www.scot-borders.co.uk  
  • Dumfries 01387 253862
  • Dunbar 01368 863353, www.edinburgh.org 
  • Eyemouth (seaonal) 01890 750678
  • Galashiels (seaonal) 01896 755551
  • Hawick 01450 372547
  • Jedburgh 01835 863688
  • Melrose (seaonal) 01896 822555
  • Moffat (seasonal) 01683 220620
  • Newton Stewart (seasonal) 01671 402431
  • Selkirk (seaonal) 01750 20054
  • Stranraer 01776 702595

Click to begin your search Click here to find bed & breakfast accommodation on this path

Luggage carrying and accommodation booking southernuplandway.com, Way Forward

Holiday providers include C-N-Do, Celtic Trails, Make Tracks, Scotwalk, southernuplandway.com, Walking Support, Way Forward

Explorer maps 309, 310, 319, 320, 322, 328, 329, 330, 337, 338, 345, 346
Landranger maps 67, 70, 74, 77, 78, 79, 82
The Way is shown on these maps.

Publications

  • Southern Upland Way by Anthony Burton, ISBN 1 85410 455 1. Aurum £12.99 + p&p. Order here!
    Clear route description, background and practical information, OS map extracts
  • The Southern Upland Way 3rd edition by Roger Smith, ISBN 1 84183 077 1. Mercat £17.99
    Official route guide, much background history and practical information, and several circular walks. Includes two specially prepared foldout 1:50 000 route maps adapted from OS maps, Includes around 60 short and medium-length walk suggestions using parts of the Way. 21st Anniversary Edition [10/05].
  • Southern Upland Way Western Section Short Walks, free leaflet from Dumfries and Galloway Ranger Service (see below; also downloadable from website). A variety of 30 short walks from 2.5km/1.5-mile easy strolls to 32km/20-mile strenuous treks, based on the Way between Portpatrick and St Mary's Loch near Moffat.
  • Southern Upland Way information leaflets. Free leaflets on Archaeology, Birds, Geology, The Killing Times (history of the Covenanters), Place Names and Wildlife from Dumfries and Galloway Ranger Service (see below).
  • Southern Upland Way Accommodation Leaflet, free. Order here!
  • Walking information on the Way, including shorter walks and paths connecting to the Way and throughout southern Scotland, can be found on the website of support services provider southernuplandway.com.

Contacts

Long Distance Paths | Alphabetical Index | Regional Index | Scotland