The walk is named after Cuthbert, a 7th century saint, a native of the Borders who spent his life in the service of the church. He began his work at Melrose Abbey. He achieved the status of Bishop, and when he died he was buried on Holy Island. He was called a saint eleven years after his death, when his coffin was opened and his remains found to be perfectly preserved.
[ source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Cuthberts_Way ]
[Extract : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Eider ]
Eider Ducks!!! Quack!
A particularly famous colony of eiders lives on the Farne Islands in Northumberland, England. These birds were the subject of one of the first ever bird protection laws, established by Saint Cuthbert in the year 676. About 1,000 pairs still nest there every year. Because St. Cuthbert is the patron saint of Northumberland, it was natural that the eider should be chosen as the county's emblem bird; the birds are still often called Cuddy's ducks in the area, "Cuddy" being the familiar form of "Cuthbert".
Eider Duck Photo by Andreas Trepte, www.photo-natur.de
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