An East Lothian Day Out 1

We are in Scotland for a week staying at Seton Sands, Longniddry, where we have a nicely appointed static caravan. Today we had a day out visiting North Berwick, Drift Café, Tantallon Castle and Gullane Bents.

Here are some photos.

North Berwick. 

We parked at the East end of North Berwick by the east links putting green.

The beach was just round the corner, with a view of Bass Rock.

We walked the other way along the beach to the Seabird Centre (which we didn't visit). I liked the staute "The Watcher" here.

Looking inland across the town we could see the other main local landmark - North Berwick Law. I would have liked to climb it but Dawn wasn't keen.

The harbour is pretty.

There is an interesting mural made of rubbish - 13,000 pieces of plastic collected from East Lothian beaches. Read more about it here.

We walked into the town centre and along the High Street.

We stopped for a coffee at JP's Deli and Café before exploring further. We liked these gardens opposite the car park for the seabird centre.

Round the corner we came to the library and Coastal Communities Museum, which we visited. It is full of interesting items and stories.

We had time for another walk along the beach before heading to Drift café for our lunch.

We climbed the castle mound for the views.

Back on the beach.

Drift Café

On sister Kirsty's recommendation we had booked a table at Drift Café. It is based on an upcycled shipping container and is perched on the top of cliffs jus a few miles east of North Berwick. It has spectacular views.

We had a table with a view... although Dawn was sat with her back to it.

We had both had the smoked crayfish sandwich.

The view from the outside looking in.

I quite liked it, but Dawn found it a bit crowded and lacking in ventilation. It's an interesting concept in a great location but maybe a victim of its own success.

Tantallon Castle

After lunch we visited the ruins of the impressive Tantallon Castle, which was just round the corner from Drift. As the Visit East Lothian site says...

"One of Scotland's most photogenic and spectacular ruins, Tantallon Castle boasts a fiery history and a dramatic setting on the edge of the East Lothian coastline. Having seen more than its share of sieges, it goes down as the last of the grand medieval castles and was the centre of the Red Douglas dynasty. A relatively remote 14th century structure, Tantallon passed between Scots and English occupation over the centuries. This was primarily due to the Douglases allegiances alternating between the Crowns. Sieges occurred under James IV and V as well as the decisive attack in 1651 by Oliver Cromwells forces that it was never to recover from."

The Doocot.

You have to cross a bridge to get over the moat.

The views from the top are superb.

North Berwick Law.

Towards the Lammermuir Hills.

And, of course, Bass Rock.

We still had a bit more to explore when we got back down.

Very impressive and a great place to visit.

Gullane Bents

On our way back to Seton Sands we took a short detour to visit  Gullane Bents and walk along the lovely beach.

We got good views across the firth to Fife.

Before descending - the view north-east.

They have lots of sea buckthorn here.

On the beach. It was a lovely sunny evening.

The wind turbine jacket foundations at Port of Leith.

...and the Forth bridges.

Then it was back to the caravan for tea.

What a great day out!

You can see more of my photos here on Flickr.

Tomorrow: Melrose.