Travel: Kirk Yetholm and Town Yetholm

Kirk Yetholm Town Yetholm Foodie Explorers Food travel blog

Twin villages on the Scottish border with England

If you’re out and about discovering the border between Scotland and England, two places worth visiting, off the beaten track, are the twin villages of Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm.

Kirk Yetholm Town Yetholm Foodie Explorers Food travel blog

Around 7 miles South of Kelso, the villages are right on the border with England so a perfect stop for standing in no man’s land. Other sights to see include the Cheviots and a number of thatched cottages. Something we’ve not noticed before in Scotland.

Kirk Yetholm Town Yetholm Foodie Explorers Food travel blog

Both villages share the name Yetholm, which means “Gate Town”. Probably due to the close proximity to the Scotland – England border.

The turbulent history of the area can be found in nearby place names such as Morebattle and some house names too. References to gypsies can be found here also. Many gypsies settled in Kirk Yetholm and you can find a monument here as well as a house named “Gypsy Palace”.

Kirk Yetholm Town Yetholm Foodie Explorers Food travel blog

Kirk Yetholm Town Yetholm Foodie Explorers Food travel blog

Kirk Yetholm Town Yetholm Foodie Explorers Food travel blog

We walked into Town Yetholm to visit the Plough Hotel for a refreshment. The Main Street is quiet with the only excitement being the village store and the Wauchope Memorial.

Kirk Yetholm Town Yetholm Foodie Explorers Food travel blog

Then a walk back to Kirk Yetholm and out to the east past The Border Hotel and onto the border with England. There’s a geocache here as well for anyone interested.

Kirk Yetholm Town Yetholm Foodie Explorers Food travel blog

Kirk Yetholm Town Yetholm Foodie Explorers Food travel blog Back to Kirk Yetholm and time for a pick me up before a comfort food dinner. The Border Hotel is the end of The Pennine Way and is also on the Route of St Cuthberts Way (from Lindisfarne / Holy Island to Melrose) making it popular with walkers.

Kirk Yetholm Town Yetholm Foodie Explorers Food travel blog

Kirk Yetholm Town Yetholm Foodie Explorers Food travel blog
With a car getting to both villages is easy, we don’t have one though, but there is a limited bus service from Kelso each day so it is do-able by public transport but a bit of a challenge if you miss a connection!

Emma

Emma

Hello!

I am Emma and with my husband Mark write Foodie Explorers, which is a food and travel website.

I am a member of the Guild of Food Writers and British Guild of Travel Writers.

We have a wide range of judging experience covering products, hotels and have judged, for example, for Great Taste Awards and Scottish Baker of the Year.

Along the way Mark gained WSET Level 2 in Wine and I have WSET Level 2 in Spirits as well as picking up an award with The Scotsman Food and Drink Awards.    

Usually I can be found sleeping beside a cat.

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