Eildon Hills Path

The Eildon Hills are an iconic part of the Scottish Borders landscape. The views from their tops are stunning allowing the observer on a clear day to look out to the Lammermuirs, Moorfoots and Upper Tweeddale Hills.

It is very tempting to think of the Eildon Hills as long-dead volcanoes but in fact only Little Hill between Mid and Wester Hills, together with Chiefswood Quarry, are true volcanic vents. The three main hills are the eroded remains of separate outpourings of lava, which erupted some 350 million years ago from Little Hill and neighbouring vents which are now concealed. Thus, sadly, are discredited those tales of Michael Scott, the famous wizard of the 13th century who, according to Border legend, clove the head of Eildon into three – perhaps, however, a romantic tale well worth preserving! Similarly, the belief that King Arthur and his men lie resting under the Hills, ready to spring to the defence of Melrose and the surrounding countryside in time of trouble or need must be treated in like fashion.
The Hills are composed of fairly-acid rocks which in turn have eroded to produce acidic soils. As a result, much of the area is covered with heath vegetation including heather moor, blaeberry, wavy hair grass, gorse and rock screes. Because Little Hill is made of more basic rock, it supports different vegetation including many herbs. The lower slopes hold the older sedimentary rocks of the Borders, which are more fertile than the volcanic material and capable of supporting agriculture, grazing and forestry undertakings.

There is some evidence that prehistoric peoples regarded the Eildon Hills as a holy place. They deposited offerings of bronze axes at their base and water still springs from the ground at holy wells dedicated to Christian Saints but which are likely to have their origins in older religious beliefs.
In the 10th century BC, Bronze Age people built circular huts, enclosed by a rampart 1.5km in circumference, on North Hill. Nearly 300 hut platforms survive implying that people assembled here in large numbers although there is no convenient water supply and weather conditions can be severe.
Although traditionally regarded as one of Scotland’s two largest hill forts, the huge enclosure may have been mainly symbolic and, therefore, it is unlikely that a permanent settlement existed here. More probably, it was a focus for communal gatherings and may have provided opportunity for the dispersed population to meet for ceremonial occasions.


1. From the Abbey car park, take the tarmac path to the right of the Abbey graveyard signposted as the Borders Abbeys Way (BAW) and follow this path, turning left after a footbridge, to reach a housing estate. Go straight ahead on the pavement for about 150 metres and then turn left along a narrow path in front of a small row of houses. Follow this path (Priorswalk) for 800 metres until reaching the road on the edge of Newstead.

2. Turn left, then right up a lane on the BAW. Follow the waymarked route under the Melrose bypass and up a double hedged track to the old main road between Melrose and Newtown St Boswells. From here you can turn left to visit the Rhymer’s Stone (see Route 9) and return, or turn right and then left on the Eildon Hills Path (EHP) towards the Eildon Hills.

3. At the top of the track that emerges onto the open ground and the hills, go through the gate. (At this point other paths traverse the hillside of North Hill which provide the opportunity for alternative routes to be followed. Once on the hills, so long as you exercise responsible access by following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, you may find your own routes, viewpoints and picnic spots). From the gate follow the waymarked EHP as it continues uphill towards the summit of North Hill. The path does become very steep in places and care should be taken as you climb the hill.

4. At the summit of North Hill enjoy the views. Around the summit area you may be able to see small flattened areas. These were the sites of circular huts during the Iron Age period some 2000 years ago.

5. Descend North Hill by the main wide track – please note that descending by other routes may cause erosion. Look out for the ramparts of the Iron Age fort; these ditches and banks form three lines across the hill.

6. At the saddle between Eildon Hill North and Mid Hill you have the opportunity to explore the paths around the slopes of Mid Hill and on to the top of Wester Hill and Little Hill. The path to the summit of Mid Hill is steep and involves areas of loose scree. To reach Wester Hill and Little Hill go left following St Cuthbert’s Way until you reach a wide track going off to the right. Follow this track until you come out in an open area of heather where you now have a choice of routes to the summits. To return to the saddle retrace your steps. Alternatively follow the path from Little Hill that traverses around the west slopes of Mid Hill. Stay on this path as it contours around the hill to eventually meet St Cuthbert’s Way and the Eildon Hills Path back at the saddle. Here descend on the Eildon Hills Path and St Cuthbert’s Way towards Melrose.

7. Just before the gate at the bottom of the open hills you meet another path which traverses the lower slopes of North Hill (Following this will lead you back to Point 3). To return to Melrose continue down the edge of a field, across a track and then down the edge of another field. Wooden steps lead you back on to Dingleton Road and down to Market Square in the town centre.