North Berwick
North Berwick is a very pleasant seaside town in East Lothian, boasting great beaches and coastal scenery, and the Scottish Seabird Centre.
It’s home to an eclectic mix of shops, cafes and bars, not to mention world-renowned golf courses. Just a 30 minute train journey from Edinburgh, North Berwick offers striking views out to the Firth of Forth and the Bass Rock, the world’s largest northern gannet colony. Indeed the bird takes its Latin name, Sula Bassana, from the island.
It is also home to the 5-star Scottish Seabird Centre, and nearby attractions includes the mighty Tantallon Castle to the east and Dirleton Castle to the west. Also, thanks to North Berwick in Bloom, the town has won multiple awards for its gardens, floral displays and wildflower gardens.
As a seaside town, North Berwick boasts classic fish and chip shops and ice cream parlours, as well as quirky tearooms, trendy coffee shops and an array of creative, boutique and independent shopping experiences. There’s plenty to keep you entertained, with boat trips around the local islands, putting greens, playgrounds, tennis courts and other sporting activities. Why not take a swing at a golf club, such as North Berwick, Glen, or the nearby Muirfield?
A jam-packed events programme provides year-round entertainment with highlights including the North Berwick Highland Games, Fringe by the Sea and Puffin Fest, which celebrates the return of the puffins to the local islands.
North Berwick is the Jewel of East Lothian
East Lothian
Officially the sunniest area of Scotland, East Lothian combines the best of Scotland in miniature! The most dramatic part of the region is undoubtedly the 40 or so miles of coastline running from Musselburgh – all but joined onto Edinburgh – round to Dunbar. Here you’ll find golden beaches such as those at Gullane, Yellowcraig and Dunbar, spectacular cliffs, plus the world’s finest selection of links golf courses including Gullane and North Berwick.
Other popular attractions include studying the wildlife at North Berwick’s award-winning Scottish Seabird Centre, viewing Scotland’s Concorde up close at The National Museum of Flight at East Fortune, enjoying a flutter on the horse racing at Musselburgh and of course, enjoying a wee dram at Glenkinchie Distillery at the foot of the Lammermuir Hills.
All of the region is within easy day-trip range from the capital an overnight stay will let you explore it properly. East Lothian boasts many picturesque towns and villages that vary in look and feel from the traditional seaside towns of Dunbar and North Berwick to the county town of Haddington, providing an enjoyable stroll through quaint streets with unique shops and galleries, with a fine selection of places to stop for a bite to eat.