Road · United Kingdom
Eyemouth Yellow Route
A hilly 42 km road cycling loop from Eyemouth, Scottish Borders through Highlaws Farm, Whitfield and Press Castle, with 400 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 42 km
- Elevation gain
- 400 m
- Riding time
- 3 h
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 18 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Eyemouth
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 400 m
- 42 km
Route description
- Eyemouth
- Highlaws Farm
- Whitfield
- Press Castle
- Howpark
- Grantshouse
- Greenburn
- Reston
- Ayton
- Eyemouth
The Eyemouth Yellow Route begins at Eyemouth and heads through Highlaws Farm and Alemill with a 2.1 km climb gaining 56 m at an average 2.7%, reaching 73 m. The route continues past Whitfield and Cairncross, then features a 2.9 km climb from 3.1 km gaining 50 m at 1.8% average gradient, rising to 126 m.
After Press Castle and North Grange, a 1.4 km climb starts at 9.1 km with 40 m gain at 2.9%, peaking at 179 m. The ride passes Hawthorn Dean, Howpark, and Renton Barns before the longest climb of 2.7 km from 19.7 km climbs 82 m at 3.1%, max 4.8%, reaching 203 m. The route reaches its highest point of 245 m around 24.5 km near Meikle Black Law. The final section descends to 12 m at 41.8 km, passing Ayton and Reston before returning to Eyemouth.
Nearly all the 42 km is paved, mostly on minor roads (54%) and main roads (41%). Main roads without cycle lanes total 17.3 km, with 15.3 km on roads posted 80 km/h or higher. The longest stretch without a café, shop, or water is 18.1 km from 0.7 km to 18.8 km. Food and drink options are at Eyemouth, Cedar Cafe at 18.8 km, The Craw Inn at 28.9 km, and Hemelvaart Bier Cafe at 37.8 km. A railway station and bailout point is at Reston (32.3 km). Toilets are available at the start and near Cedar Cafe.
Highlights
- Press Castle at 9.1 km
- Highest point near Meikle Black Law at 245 m
- Long climb from 19.7 to 22.4 km
- Eyemouth start and finish with bakery and café
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 2.1 km · 56 m · 2.7 % · max 3.6 % | 73 m |
| Unnamed climb | 3.1 km | 2.9 km · 50 m · 1.8 % · max 2.2 % | 126 m |
| Unnamed climb | 9.1 km | 1.4 km · 40 m · 2.9 % · max 3.6 % | 179 m |
| Unnamed climb | 19.7 km | 2.7 km · 82 m · 3.1 % · max 4.8 % | 203 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (17.3 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 54% minor road · 41% main road · 3% quiet street · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 17.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 15.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B6438 (7 km), A1107 (4 km), Howpark Road (4 km), B6355 (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 28% climbing · 23% descending · 49% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.7 km from 16.2 km, dropping 115 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 18 km, from the start. Along the route: 12 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 2 petrol stations, 2 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 0.1 kmLough's Home Bakery · bakery · 310 m off route
- 0.1 kmEyemouth Day Hospital · hospital · 140 m off route
- 0.6 kmEsso · petrol station · 150 m off route
- 0.7 kmSpar · convenience store · 150 m off route
- 18.8 kmCedar Cafe · café · on the route
- 18.8 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 28.8 kmRepair stand · 330 m off route
- 28.9 kmThe Craw Inn · pub · 330 m off route
- 37.8 kmHemelvaart Bier Cafe · bar · 100 m off route
- 37.8 kmAyton Village Store · convenience store · 80 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 32.3 km — Reston (station), 260 m off route
Worth a stop
- 9.1 km — Press Castle (castle)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Lough's Home Bakery (320 m), Rialto (330 m), Giacopazzi's (260 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (360 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water: 18.1 km
- 17.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 15.3 km on roads 80 km/h or more