Southern Upland Way

The Southern Upland Way is a 344-kilometre coast-to-coast footpath in southern Scotland. It runs from Portpatrick in the west to Cockburnspath in the east, crossing the hills of the Southern Uplands. The route passes through Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, with a short section in South Lanarkshire. It is one of Scotland’s Great Trails and the longest of the 29 designated routes. Seven other Great Trails meet the Southern Upland Way at various points along its length. The path attracts about 80,000 users each year, though only around 1,000 complete the entire route. Completing the full distance earns a certificate, and the fastest known time is 55 hours and 42 minutes. The route is considered the most challenging of Scotland’s Great Trails but also one of the most rewarding. Many walkers choose to split the journey into two stages, for example Portpatrick to Moffat and then Moffat to Cockburnspath. The path has improved signage and drainage since it opened in 1984. The route passes through villages such as Castle Kennedy, New Luce, and St John’s Town of Dalry. It also visits Wanlockhead, the highest village in Scotland, and Traquair, home to the oldest continuously working brewery in the country. Sections of the path form part of the E2 European long-distance route, which stretches from Galway to Nice. Walkers can encounter land art and sculpted containers known as “kists,” which contain collectable coins. The scenery includes remote moorland, rolling hills, and quiet valleys.