The Durham Cow's Southern Upland Way - Day Fourteen

We were now three-quarters of the way through our 2022 Southern Upland Way journey during which we'd gradually increased the daily distance to hopefully ward off any niggling injuries, as happened in the first half.
Although the 'official' distance from Traquair to Melrose was approximately 18 miles we'd end up walking about 20 given that we'd taken a room at the Traquair Arms Hotel in Innerleithen one-and-a-half miles away.
We'd enjoyed a lovely meal at Saffron, an Indian restaurant in Innerleithen, and were looking forward to another night of relative luxury at the Station Hotel in Melrose. After that would come two nights of wild camping before our arrival at Cockburnspath.
I think we'd both agree that this half had been easier than the first and neither of us were in any doubt we'd finish it. In fact I know that the end of the journey was starting to seep into my consciousness.
But today we had to get to Melrose which, after the 1.5 mile walk-in would involve a long, stiff climb up to the highest point of the day, Minch Moor, from where we'd follow an ancient and historic drove road over series of low hills to the Three Brethren, where three huge cairns overlook the valley at Yair, with Galashiels, Melrose and the distinctive three peaks of the Eildon Hills so close you could almost touch them.
After descending to cross the River Tweed for the second time that day there would be another ridge to cross to the outskirts of Galashiels before rejoining the Tweed opposite Sir Walter Scott's home at Abbotsford. We'd then more or less follow the river to Melrose via Tweedbank, to enter the town past the historic abbey in which lie many Scottish kings as well as the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce.
For the ultimate experience we just needed some good weather...
0:00 Introduction
2:06 Traquair
2:53 Minch Moor
5:56 Hare Law and Brown Knowe
6:39 Four Lords Lands
7:49 Broomy Law
9:47 Three Brethren
11:16 Yair Hill Forest
12:36 River Tweed at Yair
13:41 Yair to Galashiels
15:39 Netherbarns and Tweedbank
17:22 Melrose
18:41 Map Summary

[@boomtish4520]

Nice. Hope you enjoyed the SUW. This stretch is my favourite bike route. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n56zc6RpobaGoac

[@thedurhamcow3535]

Sorry about taking so long to reply. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment. The video brought back some good memories (we had the same nice weather before it went mental). I fancy trying it on the bike myself. Take care, Scott