The Marine North Berwick Guide to…
The Spring & Summer Trip
Eight fun ways to enjoy a summer stay in our Scottish haven.
TIP 2: Meet the World’s Largest Gannet Colony
The ideal activity for April showers and those unpredictable Scottish summers, the Scottish Seabird Centre is an awardwinning, all-weather attraction and a must-visit for lovers of wildlife. Putting you in control of interactive live cameras, enjoy a unique opportunity to spot these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. If you’re lucky enough to stop by on a sunny day, or you’d prefer to get up close and personal with the colony that calls this space their home, simply jump on one of their various boat trips and head out to sea.
TIP 3: Sit Back and Relax at Drift
With endless views over the coast, take to the cliff tops of Quarrel Sands to discover Drift Cafe. Offering breakfast, brunch, lunch and sweet treats through its diversification project –developed by local farmers from a love of quality food – awardwinning Drift has become a firm favourite for locals and visitors alike. Whether you make a quick stop or stay a little while, it’s always worth a visit.
TIP 4: Head To The Water With Sula Boat Trips
Want to see the sights from the sea? Whether you hope to get up close to Bass Rock, visit the Isle of May, take the ferry to Anstruther or jump on a relaxing evening cruise, Sula Boat Trips is the name to know in on-water adventures. Originally organising trips around Bass Rock in the early 70s, the team now offer the longest-running passenger boat tours in North Berwick.
TIP 5: Take a Historic Trip to Tantallon Castle
Once home to the infamous Red Douglas clan, a noble house from the Scottish Lowlands, Tantallon Castle stands as a fortress atop the high coastal cliffs to this day. Despite having been abandoned for the last 300 years, this mediaeval must-see is still awe-inspiring today. While you’re there: spot rare birds, plants and wildlife, admire the mighty curtain wall – the best example of castle architecture from the 1300s anywhere in Scotland, and see if you recognise the surroundings from the big screen, as it’s a popular filming location.
TIP 6: Soak in the View at Yellowcraig
For spectacular views over to the 1855 lighthouse and Fidra Island, Yellowcraig beach is the place to be. With the latter said to be the original inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s book, Treasure Island, viewing spots don’t get more iconic than this. Also known as Broad Sands Bay, the beach is surrounded by forest and grassland, offering several nature trails and winding paths to discover. Looking to experience Yellowcraig from a different viewpoint? Horseback riding is a popular way to do so along its sandy shores.
TIP 7: Travel on Two Wheels with Ezee Riders
Fancy exploring East Lothian a little differently? Ezee Riders provides electric bike rentals for seeing your favourite sights at a speedier pace, as well as guided tours to help you discover the hidden gems and coastal landmarks that are harder to reach on foot. With handy suggested cycling routes on their website, the team at Ezee Riders HQ have thought of everything – whether you’re after a coastal trip with plenty of scenic viewpoints, or something more rural featuring wholesome pub pit-stops.
TIP 8: Set Your Sights on the Summit of North Berwick Law
Get the very best view of North Berwick and the surrounding coast from conical North Berwick Law. Standing 187 m tall, your upwards trek should take between two to three hours to complete, but trust us – it’s worth all the hard work once you’re up there.
At the summit, you’ll find old outposts from WW2, plus an unexpectedly unique replica of a whale’s jawbone – said to have been standing there in some form for over 250 years.
Local Events & Happenings
Throughout Spring & Summer
Our calendar of highlights for spring/summer getaways, as picked by the Marine North Berwick team.
North Berwick Highland Games (June)
Ladies Day (June)
Marine Fest (June)
Fringe by the Sea (August)
Have a suggestion you think we should share? Or perhaps you have questions about your spring/summer stay? Get in touch with our team at info@marinenorthberwick.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.
