The Southern Upland Way is Scotland’s original coast-to-coast long-distance trail, stretching across the country just south of Glasgow and Edinburgh, where the land is at its widest. The route runs from Portpatrick on the Atlantic coast to Cove on the North Sea, finishing near Cockburnspath after 341 kilometres of spectacular scenery.
Hostels and bunkhouses are an excellent resource for walkers along the way, offering drying rooms, self-catering kitchens, and sometimes even a hearty home-cooked meal. These welcoming stops are ideal places to swap route tips, share stories, or team up for a stage of the walk. This friendly sense of community is one of the true highlights of long-distance walking.
Accommodation along the Southern Upland Way
The Southern Upland Way is Scotland’s first official coast-to-coast long-distance trail, and one of the country’s great walking adventures. Stretching for about 341 kilometres (212 miles), it crosses the breadth of southern Scotland from Portpatrick on the rugged Atlantic coast to Cove, near Cockburnspath, on the North Sea.
Following old drove roads, moorland tracks, forest paths, and quiet farm lanes, the route weaves through some of the most remote and beautiful landscapes in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway. Walkers pass through rolling hills, tranquil valleys, and historic towns such as Moffat, Sanquhar, and Melrose, with hostels and bunkhouses along the way.
Hostels and bunkhouses are a great resource for walkers along the Southern Upland Way. They often have drying rooms for wet gear and self-catering kitchens for those travelling on a budget. For walkers looking to treat themselves after a long day on the trail, there’s often a home-cooked meal or welcoming pub nearby.
Best of all is the social atmosphere — perfect for swapping route tips, sharing stories, or even teaming up for a stage of the walk. This friendly sense of community is one of the true highlights of long-distance walking.
Although less famous than the West Highland Way, the Southern Upland Way offers a wilder, more solitary experience — a journey of open horizons, big skies, and long, quiet miles. Along the way, walkers encounter remnants of Scotland’s history, from Iron Age hillforts and Roman roads to ruined abbeys and remote shepherd’s cottages.
The route can be walked in sections or tackled in its entirety, typically over 12–16 days. It’s suitable for experienced long-distance walkers who are comfortable with navigation and variable weather conditions, as some stretches are isolated and exposed.
Whether taken as a personal challenge or a chance to explore one of Scotland’s least-visited regions, the Southern Upland Way rewards perseverance with a profound sense of space, solitude, and achievement — a true crossing of Scotland from sea to shining sea.