Why should you walk these Cheviot hills? Because they’re Nuttalls, they’re deserted, and the Breamish valley is worth a visit. I reckoned the shortest walk was from Ewartley Shank farm, or more accurately, as there is no parking there, from the cattle grid 1km before it. Take the grassy track near there towards Hogdon Law and branch off towards Black Butt as soon as seems reasonable. There are no real paths here but the going is not so rough. From the Butt a path appears on the other side of the fence, then returns to the E/N, and from the dip a good grassy track leads easily up to to Cushat Law, with its cairn/shelter and a view N to the Cheviot/ Hedgehope Hill round. Down by the fence and round the squelchy bottom leads easily again to the next summit, although I wouldn’t do it in winter. No bushes, no edge. We aimed to partially re-ascend Cushat Law and sneak eastwards via Bush Knowe to the apex of the Salter’s Road, but went too early and found ourselves between the Bleakhope farms in the delightful Breamish valley, full of Thyme, common Speedwell, Foxgloves and various Hawk-bits and -weeds, and the hillsides reddened with the early bell heather. So a long ascent of the Salter’s Road track and more undulations were required to get back to Ewartly Shank. Giving us time to think of the pack horses laden with salt from the pans on the sea shore north of the Tyne, travelling through Rothbury and on to the borders via this tiring route. The “path” from here to your car is well signed, but leads, in summer anyway, into a difficult, thick, grassy depression reminiscent of the WTFRWE tribe territory. Ten miles and only 2,200ft of ascent.
Cushat Law from the south. Cushat Law cairn, Hedgehope Hill and the Cheviot in the distance. Bloodybush Edge Trig point. Approaching the Breamish valley. Salter’s Road track looking north.
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