Scotland C2C - Day 6 - Melrose to Eyemouth

The 6th and final day on the Scotland C2C!  Made it to Eyemouth by the North Sea after miles of undulating hills (no end to those!).  We wondered if we could do six consecutive days and were pleasantly surprised that we managed to do it!

Ayr to Newton Stewart - 45.8

Newton Stewart to Kirkcudbright - 34.9

Kirkcudbright to Ecclefechan - 43.7

Ecclefechan to Newcastleton - 36

Newcastleton to Melrose - 42.4

Melrose to Eyemouth - 38.3

Total miles - 241.19

Total climbing - 13,800 feet

I would highly recommend this route as it was a reasonable amount of hills, absolutely empty of traffic / people and one of the most scenic routes we’ve travelled.  We really enjoyed it.  Steve says, ‘This isn’t hard core, but it’s enough.’  

Thought we wouldn’t do a big ride this year, but think this qualifies as a good addition to the list - the England Coast to Coast (which got us started on long distance cycling), LEJOG (which cemented it) and the Scotland C2C (which was an absolute treat)!

Scotland C2C - Day 5 - Newcastleton to Melrose

Still hilly in Scotland.  Day 5 of the Coast to Coast.  Visited the very nice town of Melrose.  Nice to get the biggest climb done first today rather than waiting until the end.  We may have to call this the Epic Descent Tour!   There have been so many of them after some rather character-building climbs. We combined two stages again today rather than doing 20 miles one day and 23 the next.  It’s amazing that it’s peak holiday season and we can pedal for miles and see absolutely no one!

Scotland C2C - Day 4 - Ecclefechan to Newcastleton

Scotland = Hills.  Day 4 of the Coast 2 Coast was hard, but good!  The thing w/ climbing hills is we’re so slow on the way up, but the view at the top is usually fantastic and today’s descents were epic!  So epic that half way through Steve had to adjust the brakes - 😬.  This one is different from LEJOG, more ‘challenging’ days strung together - we’ll see what tomorrow brings…

Scotland C2C - Day 3 - Kirkcudbright to Ecclefechan

Kirkcudbright to Ecclefechan - hilly place, Scotland (says Steve).  Day 3 of 6.  Bit of rain, but not as wet as Day 1.  Beautiful country even in the wet.  Finding mostly good cafes, even in the bigger towns like Dumfries.  A hair-raising 300 yard sprint uphill on the A75 - never again!

After the sprint up the A75 and on top of the next hill

As there were no rooms to be had in Lockerbie, we found a place in Ecclefechan, about six miles to the south and adjusted the route accordingly.  The Cressfield Hotel is where we spent the night, one of the best places so far - even managed to photo the room before getting our stuff all over!

Scotland C2C - Day 2 - Newton Stewart to Kirkcudbright

Second day of the Kirkpatrick C2C through the borders of Scotland.  Shorter day today mileage wise, but no matter how many miles it always seems to take a day! Went from Newton Stewart to Kirkcudbright (Kir–coo–bree), 34 miles, one hill climb - 4 miles up and 5 miles down!

The route was less ‘Alpine’ and less desolate than yesterday.  More winding along rivers, estuaries and the sea.  Lots of comparisons to LEJOG, both Cornwall and northern Scotland.  

Staying at the Garrett Hotel in Kirkcudbright tonight.  The town is on a river, lots of art, galleries and flower decorated houses.  One of the prettiest villages / small towns we’ve found (so far!) in Scotland.