Southern Upland Way

Completed in 1984, the Southern Upland Way is the longest coast-to-coast walk in Britain and one of the most demanding in Scotland. It crosses the full width of the Southern Uplands from the Rhinns of Galloway in the south-west to the Berwickshire coast in the east, passing through Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Borders and several of Scotland's less-visited upland areas.

For trail runners it is a five to ten day challenge. The terrain is mixed: good forest tracks and riverside paths alternate with pathless moorland and some serious high ground in the Moffat Hills section. Navigation is needed on the higher sections. The waymarking uses a thistle symbol and is consistent but not always dense.

The route passes through very little in the way of towns — resupply planning is essential. Moffat and Melrose are the main service centres.

Portpatrick to Sanquhar (~140 km): Through Galloway forest park — vast conifer plantations with good tracks. The forest sections are monotonous but fast. The Lowther Hills give the highest ground.

Sanquhar to Melrose (~120 km): The Moffat Hills and the Ettrick Forest — the most remote section. Good support needed here. Traquair House is an atmospheric waypoint.

Melrose to Cockburnspath (~85 km): Through the Borders — Lauderdale and the Lammermuir Hills. The finish at Cockburnspath is low-key but satisfying.

Start: Portpatrick. Bus from Stranraer (7 km); train to Stranraer from Glasgow.

Finish: Cockburnspath. Bus to Dunbar; train to Edinburgh.

Very limited facilities along the route — carry sufficient food for two to three days at a time on the remote sections. Wild camping is allowed in Scotland under the Land Reform Act.

Best time: May to September. The forest sections are passable year-round; the high ground can be serious in winter.