North Berwick Law to Tantallon Castle
Overview
9.6 km
Description
Enjoy some of the best viewpoints in East Lothian on this hill climb and coastal walk that links North Berwick Law with Tantallon Castle.
Leaving from the car park at the foot of the climb, your first view will be from the top of the steep slopes of North Berwick Law. This volcanic plug offers 360 degree views over the Forth and much of East Lothian. You can even see your destination – Tantallon Castle to the east.
After the descent, follow the John Muir Way into North Berwick and down to the harbour. Leave the John Muir Way and head east along the beach and then follow the main road towards Canty Bay, which has a great viewpoint from the headland overlooking the beach.
Upon reaching Tantallon Castle, your final climb will be its cliffside towers for spectacular views of Bass Rock and the East Lothian coastline.
For tired legs, there’s a bus service back to North Berwick from the bus stop at the end of the castle driveway.
Terrain
The path up and down North Berwick Law is steep and grassy in places, so take care. Once back at the car park, the route follows the signposted John Muir Way along pavements and through the park into North Berwick. Leaving the town, it follows the main road on pavement until just before Tantallon Castle. Take care here as there are 200m with no pavement so use the grass verge to reach the driveway to the castle.
Getting There
By rail: North Berwick train station provides a swift link with Edinburgh.
By bus: This area is served by the 26 and X5 bus routes between Edinburgh and North Berwick.
By car: there is a free car park at the base of North Berwick Law.
Facilities
Once you’ve completed this walk, there’s still plenty to do around North Berwick. Why not take a boat trip out to Bass Rock from the Seabird Centre? You’ll also find a wide selection of eateries and shopping in the centre and down by the harbour.
For a full listing of businesses and attractions on this route, view it on the Plan Your Trip page.
Points of interest
Scottish Seabird Centre
Discover the birds that make their home along East Lothian’s coastline, with boat trips out to visit the Bass Rock and the world's largest colony of Northern Gannets - voted BBC Countryfile Nature Reserve of the Year. There is also a great café making this an unmissable pit-stop on your journey!
Visit Website
Coastal Communities Museum
John Muir spent his childhood in the seaside town of Dunbar. Learn about the customs and livelihoods of the people who would have lived beside Muir in Dunbar and other East Lothian seaside villages.
Visit Website
North Berwick Law
Berwick or North Berwick Law is a small local hill, 187m high and just off the John Muir Way. It gives superb views over East Lothian and the Forth.
Visit Website
Tantallon Castle
Set on the edge of the cliffs, looking out to the Bass Rock, this formidable castle was a stronghold of the Douglas family. Ascend Tantallon’s towers for spectacular views of the Bass Rock and to watch gannets plunge into the North Sea. Then descend into the depths of a particularly grim pit prison.
Open daily 10am-4pm
