Let the Bagging Commence - North Berwick Law

[rush_fan]

I've spent too much time indoors reading hill books, studying maps and purchasing essential hill kit having recently developed in my head lofty ambitions of conquering the Munros (I blame Nicholas Crane and his excellent BBC TV programme "Munro - Mountain Man"). To date my natural habitat over many years has been coastal/forest walks on the flat (Glens of Antrim/Inverness/Aviemore/Black Isle/Lothians) but now I have set my sights on a higher calling....the mountains of Scotland.

After a year of planning (or should that be procrastinating?) I thought it was about time to get out of the house and get my hill bagging ambitions up and running! ....small steps first though....I need some training hills.

Today would be my first prominent hill. It is one that I have passed a number of times over the years and thought that it would be great to be standing at the top taking in views of the marvellous East Lothian coast. It is a hill that has always struck me as being very much out of place for it's surroundings, a huge mass standing proud on the coastal edge of endless flat agricultural land (and the odd golf course or two) ....North Berwick Law.

It was to be an early start from South Queensferry at 6.30 am in glorious weather. Two short train journeys to North Berwick and a short walk from the station would see me standing at the carpark entrance to "The Law" at 8.30am. From here there is a well defined path starting around the southern edge of the hill up to the summit.

I was surprised that I had reached the top in around 30 minutes (it would have been half this but I could not help myself stopping to take in the fine views and grab a few photographs (any excuse as my lungs were near bursting, my thighs burned and my rucksack that contained just a bottle of energy drink and a bag of peanuts was about to be abandoned due to the weight....the joys of hill walking being experienced for the very first time!).

The gods were surely smiling on me. The weather was fantastic, the 360 degree views from the top were fantastic and I had the hill to myself...fantastic. After a short period exploring and photographing summit features and taking in the views I returned to the base of the hill retracing my steps. My adventure was over in an hour and a bit. But what an adventure it was. My longstanding curiosity of what it would have been like to have stood at the top was finally satisfied.

First sighting from the train.

Approaching the Law.

Path to the summit.

Half way there.

Near the top. Bass Rock in the distance.

The summit.

Trig point.

View point indicator.

View point indicator plate detail.

Replica whale jawbones.

View over North Berwick and on to Craigleith island.

Remains of a watch-house (Napoleonic Wars, c1800).

World War II lookout.

Stunning view of the East Lothian coast (Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle seen in the distance).

A morning to remember, my first Sub2000er well and truly bagged. Bring on the Munros!

Enjoy the pictures.

[jonny616]

You can't beat views like that. Stunning. Years of no views & therapy ahead of you enjoy