Am thinking about doing St Cuthberts Way in 2014. Need some information. I live on the Canadian Prairies, so 90%of my walking is on mostly flat terrain. How much of the St Cuthberts Way is hilly.
Hi Mardon,
Have only done a small section of St. Cuthbert's Way (as part of a Le to JoG walk) and that was pretty flat from memory so not much help there. But, when you near Ancrum Moor past Harestanes, do keep an eye out for the grave of the maiden Lilliard who fought and died against the English at Ancrum Moor in 1545. The battle was a decisive win for the Scots with the English suffering 800 killed and 1000 taken prisoner. The stone lies alone in a field to the left of the old Roman Road, Dere Street that used to link York with the Firth of Forth. I found the inscription interesting/amusing. (Stane = stone loons = boys)
"Fair maiden Lilliard lies under this stane,
Little was her stature, but great was her fame,
Upon the English loons she laid many thumps,
And when her legs were cuttit off she fought upon her stumps."
One of the delights of UK walking is the history you tread!
Cheers,
George