The Braw Law from North Berwick

[Chris Mac]

North-Berwick-Law.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

A day trip to explore North Berwick was on the cards for us, a photogenic wee seaside town on the east coast with the added bonus of the Law to hike up, perfect.

North Berwick Law first came to my attention a good few years ago when climbing Arthur's Seat, Meikle Bin and others from where it is very prominent lump at the end of the Firth of Forth.

We parked down at the beach just along from the Seabird Centre with a nice view over to Bass Rock:
DSC_3784 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We decided to have a quick wander around town before returning to the car to gear up for the short hike. North Berwick Law is prominent a fair bit as you wander around:
DSC_3786 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A church:
DSC_3801 by djchrismac, on Flickr

Another church:
DSC_3807 by djchrismac, on Flickr

As it was lunch time we grabbed a snack and sat down the shore, enjoying the view north west to the Lomond Hills and Fife:
DSC_3817 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Wee Lamb Island:
DSC_3819 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

North Berwick:
DSC_3824 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We headed back to the car where I started recording the route, then it was just a short walk to the Lodge and grounds where we went through the entrance shown on the right:
DSC_3832 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We follow the route indicated on the sign:
DSC_3835 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Through the Lodge ground and past the standing stones...
DSC_3838 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The Law looms ever closer as we approach it, crossing the road to the right where the daffodils are:
DSC_3846 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A small path leads us on through the trees:
DSC_3848 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Atop the Law the whale bones, old war lookouts and people can be seen on this fairly busy wee hill:
DSC_3855 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We reach the play park and find a new housing estate has been built that isn't on the OS map...
DSC_3859 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Luckily a new path heads to the right towards Haddington Road and the Law car park:
DSC_3862 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

North Berwick Law's west side:
DSC_3868 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Free advertising in the car park...
DSC_3869 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

After passing a guy with a metal detector leaving the lodge ground we spot a sign on the board saying that the Law is an ancient monument and is protected by law so no metal detectors are to be used on it... it didn't stop them building lookouts during war time though.
DSC_3872 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Around the south side of the hill is the angle of least ascent where the path takes us:
DSC_3873 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Head left and up the hill:
DSC_3874 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We pass the first of 2 benches:
DSC_3888 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

There is a decent main path to the second bench:
DSC_3891 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Bench 2 and the view north west:
DSC_3892 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking south to the Lammermuir Hills and Traprain Law:
DSC_3895 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

South west are the Garleton Hills:
DSC_3898 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Due east are the Pentlands and Arthur's Seat:
DSC_3900 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

North Berwick, Fidra, the Forth and distant Fife:
DSC_3903 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

After a quick break to enjoy the view there are several routes up the Law:
DSC_3906 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I took a few more photos and Y had already gone ahead so I expected to find her near the top...
DSC_3912 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Garleton Hills and the Hopetoun Monument:
DSC_3916 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We read about the monument on returning home, one to visit if we're in the area or bagging the local Tumps:
DSC_3928 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Pentlands, no view from there for now...
DSC_3934 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Edinburgh and the Castle in the distance:
DSC_3950 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Forth bridges:
DSC_3963 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Knockhill:
DSC_3972 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Fidra with West and East Lomond:
DSC_3985 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Time to catch up, the mountain goat quickly bounds up the remainder of the Law towards the summit...
DSC_4010 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Lookout:
DSC_4014 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I quickly reach the summit rock with trig point and view indicator...
DSC_4023 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Erm... where is Y? I didn't pass her! How could she be lost on one of the smallest Marilyns?!

DSC_4026 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I take a few more photos expecting her to arrive any time...
DSC_4031 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Whale bones:
DSC_4033 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The view west, not very clear over at the Pentlands so it's a good thing we came further east today:
DSC_4034 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Still no sign of her, I decide to head back to find her:
DSC_4038 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_4047 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

There she is!
DSC_4052 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

After catching up it turns out she had followed the easy path around to a stepper section of the hill then had to turn back, that's the last time I let her out of my sight no matter how small the hill!

We enjoy the summit view together, to the east is Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle:
DSC_4059 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Whale Bone sign:
DSC_4072 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Bass Rock:
DSC_4079 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Ganet central:
DSC_4084 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Tantallon Castle:
DSC_4090 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Dunbar, the Works and Torness Power Station, I wonder how John Muir would feel about these ruining the view of his home town?
DSC_4093 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Trig pillar, Pentlands and Edinburgh:
DSC_4100 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Conditions have cleared up now over at the Pentlands and Allermuir Hill:
DSC_4108 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Arthur's Seat and Edinburgh:
DSC_4110 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking down on Craigleith:
DSC_4112 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Fidra and a rig:
DSC_4122 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We decide it's time to head back down, should be a quick and easy descent...
DSC_4131 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I pass a large bee, one i've never seen before (now identified as a Red-tailed Bumblebee!) which has great colours but is lying on it's back, sting pulsating. Lack of a barb in the abdomen indicated it was dying after stinging someone, at least it wasn't us!
DSC_4139 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We head to the bench for a seat and to soak in the view again:
DSC_4142 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Satisfied that we've seen enough we continue past the infinity pool...
DSC_4149 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

What looks like the Dovecot on the map a bit further south:
DSC_4153 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Wanting to do a loop instead of returning the same way, we divert left near the bottom of the hill to follow the WH route around the other side of the hill:
DSC_4156 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It's a tiny steep hill but well worth a visitL
DSC_4158 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Skirting aroud the base of the hill is a path to follow heading towards Bass Rock:
DSC_4164 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It looks like there is another path up the steep east face, I didn't realise we could also have descended that way although Y would probably not be so keen:
DSC_4167 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The path soon levels out and we head through the gate:
DSC_4169 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

With the ponies visible ahead we turn left and follow the faint path straight down:
DSC_4176 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

At the bottom we turn right and go through a gate, now we're in the boggy marsh section and moans are being sent in my direction! The ponies, the bog and the Law:
DSC_4185 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The final part isn't as bad as walking alongside the fence as it turns back around and we head along to another gate to enter the housing estate onto Glenburn Road:
DSC_4202 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We walk onto East Road, turn left and head back towards the beach, North Berwick Law looking braw in the background:
DSC_4207 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We turn in to the tennis club and turn right onto Quadrant to reach the beach:
DSC_4214 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back:
DSC_4224 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We cross the road and hop over the wall onto the beach, always a great way to end a walk although there is no requirement for a dip as it wasn't strenous enough a walk and it's not warm enough. We head towards the Seabird Centre:
DSC_4227 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back down the beach with Bass Rock back left:
DSC_4240 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We've seen enough to decide that we really like North Berwick so far and would happily return for another visit:
DSC_4277 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We investigate St Andrew's Old Kirk, then pass through the Seabird Centre to head for the pier, looking back at the beach, Law and Kirk:
DSC_4293 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

North Berwick Law, wee hills are underrated:
DSC_4304 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Passing the harbour and Crab Shack:
DSC_4322 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It's a very scenic town, looking out to Craigleith as we head along the end of the harbour:
DSC_4343 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The rocky finale:
DSC_4354 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

So that was us, back to the car so I could change out of my muddy troosers due to unexpected bog hopping but this is easily avoided if going back down the ascent route via the car park. As it was close by and highly rated we opted for the Ship Inn for dinner and it was excellent, quality grub and a nice friendly pub. An hour and a half later we were back in Glasgow and reflecting on an excellent choice of town to explore which had the added bonus of beaches and the Law to enjoy, friendly locals and good grub to boot. Result.