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......St Abbs is named after  Ebba  > a Northumbrian princess who struggled ashore here after being shipwrecked in 635AD

      she promptly founded a nunnery, there were reports of disorderly and immodest behaviour by the nuns and monks

leading to a fire which burned it down in 683AD. it was struck by lightening, some say it was the wrath of God
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north of the village is St Abb's Head  Nature Reserve (NTS) which comprises almost 200 acres of wild coastline

with sheer cliffs inhabited by large colonies of guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars and razorbills
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May to July for seabirds. July to August for flowers and butterflies. Spring and autumn for migrant birds

Northfield Farm Visitor centre with coffee shop is open 1 April to 31 October. Ranger guided walks

Path along the cliff top runs from St Abbs to Pettico Wick  please take great care

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Tell them that you’re going to St Abbs and they’ll generally look blank and ask where’s that then
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St Abbs is just off the A1 Edinburgh to  Berwick upon Tweed  >  road,  near  Cockburnspath  >

take the A1107 coast road to  Coldingham  > turn left in the village then onto the B6438  St Abbs

at a sharp right hand bend just before St Abbs follow sign to Northfield visitor centre car park
 

Nearest rail/bus services are at Berwick-upon-Tweed. Bus link between Berwick

Eyemouth  > and St Abbs, as well as  Edinburgh  >  to St Abbs
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THE WALK

   Dont Get Lost Take A Copy With You

Print - Version - Here  >
 

Distance, this walk is 5 miles

Starting point, northfield visitor car park

Conditions, clear firm paths through conservation area

some walking on sand and rocky shore

Toilets / Refreshments, tearoom at visitors centre + kiosk

at Coldingham bay (summer only)
 

UK Weather  >
 

Start Walk, turn right out of the car park, and follow the road to St Abbs Head for 1.5 miles

to the inlet of Pettico Wick, cliffs stretch into the distance on left, inland is the man made

Mire Loch where sea birds feed, continue along the road to a small car park near the lighthouse
 

go left accross grass to the cliffs and offshore rocks, from april to june this is the breeding ground

for 60,000 seabirds, guillemots, fulmars, cormorants and shags
 

return to the road and cross over to continue around the lighthouse, walk to the right of the former

lighthouse keepers cottage, go ahead to the cliff path, follow path inland to behind Kirk Hill

cross style and continue along path back to coast, climbing over Bell Hill to views over St Abbs village
 

follow path to the a road and turn left into village, passing a small museum,of local history, in the old school

fork left to the Harbour, boat trips can be booked here, take the path climbing out of the harbour and turn

left at the top walk between houses to a tarmac path at the end of road, turning right towards Coldingham Bay

a sweep of golden sand, from Coldingham Bay turn left onto access road continue ahead using path to right

of road, continue half mile to Coldingham village, turn right towards St Abbs, after half mile turn right

onto Creel Road into a tunnel of trees, turn left into St Abbs village, at the first houses turn left

for the road back to the starting point and car park
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Parts of this walk is over stiles, on sand and rocks

however most of the walk should be suitable for most abilites

you can pick and choose the easy bits
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