East Lothian, Scotland

Live for the moment – a hike up North Berwick Law

An escape to East Lothian

On Wednesday the weather man got it wrong.  Not one of those spectacular wrongs where he promises sunshine and along comes a hail storm to strip the skin off your face, or a hurricane to blow your roof off, but he was pretty confident of rain and our plans for a fun afternoon outdoors with the Wee White Dug looked set to be doomed.

Hell bent on making the most of our precious free time together despite the forecast Mr G and the wee dug collected me from the office at midday.  After a quick conflab we decided to head to East Lothian for lunch and a rainy walk on one of the many beautiful beaches in the area.  We chose Gullane for lunch and Seacliff for our beach walk.

Lunch was at a dug friendly favourite of ours, The Clubhouse in Gullane. The food is always excellent and the service friendly.  Gullane was somewhere we only ever passed through before the wee dug came along and forced us to look for places we could not only walk him but also eat out with him in tow.

Gullane has a lovely beach of its own but I wasn’t in the mood for that beach on this day.

A hike up North Berwick Law

After lunch, en route to Seacliff beach I was distracted by North Berwick Law. Law is a Lowland Scots word for hill.  North Berwick Law is a prominent feature in East Lothian.  It rises a mere 187 metres above sea level but as the land there is so flat it can be seen from miles around.  It looms like a big rocky cone from behind the seaside town of North Berwick.  Right there on a whim my plans to visit Seacliff Beach were abandoned in favour of climbing the law for some views on that still rain free afternoon.  It was even starting to look like a really nice day.

The bottom of the law was covered in gorse bushes in full bloom. The smell of coconut and the gorgeous yellow flowers made it feel like summer.

For those of you unfamiliar with gorse it’s a tough, jaggy bush, not very pretty to look at and best avoided until it blooms. When it does, normally around early May in Scotland, it produces a riot of bright yellow flowers which are scented like coconut.


Initially Mr G hadn’t been enthused by the sudden change of plans but as the view opened up quickly below us and the sun started to shine a little brighter he warmed to the law.

Meeting the residents of North Berwick Law 

I’d forgotten to give him the full lowdown on the walk before we set off, so to say he was shocked to be greeted by Exmoor Ponies as we neared the summit would be an understatement.  When he spotted them perched atop the craggy rocks he was almost lost for words.  Horses up a hill? In North Berwick? Surely not?  What’s going on?  Like me though he’s a talker and rarely remains speechless for long.

Mr G also loves snapping photos from our trips so off he crept like David Attenborough in the Amazonian Rainforest for a shot of the ponies.  Gone are the days when he used to roll his eyes impatiently as I stopped frequently for photos.  Now we bicker about who’s just walked into the other’s shot.

These blog photos are all iPhone 6s snaps as I didn’t plan on taking any photos on a rainy beach that afternoon.


The Wee White Dug observed the ponies curiously from afar.  They didn’t bat as much as an eyelid at him.  I’d love to know what goes on inside his little noodle brain as he meets the various creatures we come across on our travels around Scotland.


There are seven ponies living on the law.  They were put there several years ago to control the course grass growing on the hill.  They’re beautiful beasts and really enhance what’s already a lovely walk. It does look odd seeing them up there though. In Scotland we’re more accustomed to meeting sheep, mountain hares and wild goats on hills.

The law is an easy and quick walk up a fairly decent path. The top is a little rocky but nothing challenging. Casper blazed us a trail right to the summit. He loves hills and is really sure-footed. He’ll always find the best and quickest route up.

The views from the top are beautiful. A 360 degree panorama of East Lothian, the Forth looking over to Fife and back towards Edinburgh. Unlike Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh the hill was extremely quiet. We got the summit all to ourselves. Yay – no airbrushing unwanted peeps out of photos or muttering curses under my breath.

North Berwick Law – the history bit!

Once home to an Iron Age hill fort the summit now has a couple of far more modern historic buildings on it. One is a picturesque ruined lookout post and remnant of the Napoleonic War era.  The other is a WWII pillbox. Having such a clear view of the waters below made North Berwick Law a perfect lookout point during times of war.

We snapped away at the summit, enjoying the sunshine and the stunning views. The wee dug had a well-earned rest and drink of water.  I knew Mr G hadn’t seen ‘it’ yet as he hadn’t shouted the anticipated “LOOK”.  In fact he seemed to be in danger of missing ‘it’ entirely.

‘It’ being the money shot and our favourite motto.


We alway try to get something out of each day. Even if it’s enjoying a cheap lunch together in a nice little cafe or a walk in the park. Something simple that makes you smile and leaves an imprint on the memory. Life’s short.  Sometimes far shorter than you expect.

If you’re wondering what the weird white object is behind the trig point and Wee White Dug it’s a fibreglass replica of a whale’s jawbone.  A whale’s jawbone has topped the hill since 1709. The last one collapsed in 2005 leaving the hill without its famous landmark.  In 2008 this replica was installed after being donated by a mystery benefactor.

A potter around North Berwick

After soaking up the sunshine and summit views we headed back down to the town of North Berwick for a walk along the beach and around the harbour area.

It’s a lovely seaside town and was a childhood favourite of mine.  It once boasted an open air swimming pool and was a popular holiday destination.  Those days are now long gone but the town is thriving and remains popular.  The harbour area where the pool once stood has been regenerated and now houses the Scottish Seabird Centre.

There are some great statues on the Seabird Centre site. My favourite is the bird spotter below who can be found peering through binoculars to the Bass Rock on the horizon.  The Bass Rock is home to more than 150,000 Gannets so you really don’t want to know why it’s that lovely white colour.


Although the open air swimming pool is now long gone, memories of it linger on.


One look at those brightly painted old changing room doors and I was transported back to the long, sunny summer days of my childhood.

Sandy sandwiches on the beach.  Getting a new bucket & spade and mulling over which colour to choose. Birly windmills that made you light-headed when you blew on them too much.  Bright pink sticks of mint rock with writing inside. Fluffy, billowing candy floss (which I was frightened of).  The merry-go-round with its assorted vehicles (upstairs on the bus was my most coveted seat – I was a weird child).  Shivering in an open air pool or the sea but pretending to be warm so you didn’t have to get out of the water.  Ahhh, the 1970s – happy days. Mr G loves to tease me about our 9 year age gap but he doesn’t know what he missed scraping in at the tail end of the 70s in 1979. I’m glad I remember most of that tacky, carefree decade of bad taste and UK beach holidays.


As you’ll see from the blue skies in the photos sometimes it pays to ignore the weatherman.

It also pays to abandon plans on a whim and just head wherever the mood takes you.

Live for the moment.

Until next time……..

21 thoughts on “Live for the moment – a hike up North Berwick Law”

  1. tannachtonfarm – North central Missouri – A 13- year homeschooling mom (youngest graduated in May 2015!) who is also a cattle and sheep farmer married to a cattle farmer. My three children and I enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends. While this blog will chronicle our journey of Faith, Family, and Farm, opinionated articles on frugal living, traveling, recipes, and homeschooling experiences may be found sprinkled throughout!
    tannachtonfarm says:

    Reblogged this on Tannachton Farm and commented:
    “We alway try to get something out of each day. Even if it’s enjoying a cheap lunch together in a nice little cafe or a walk in the park. Something simple that makes you smile and leaves an imprint on the memory. Life’s short. Sometimes far shorter than you expect. ”

    Oh, wow, well said my blogger friend….

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Sounds like a great trip. Hopefully next time you’ll see the wee dug around. 🐶🐾

  2. Wow, Sam such adventures with your wee white dug and breathtakingly beautiful pictures along with your documentation I so enjoy EVERY post Thank you from the westielover in the U.S.

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Hello US Westie friend. So pleased to hear you’ve been enjoying our adventures. We love having you with us on our travels. 🐶🐾

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Yes we sure are. Venetian Riviera this year for a change. Means we can spend more time in beautiful Venice and day trip to the Dolomites 💕

  3. authorstephanieparkermckean – Fortrose, Scotland – While I am blessed to now live in Scotland with my wonderful husband, Alan, I'm a Texas girl and proud of Texas. I'm a writer--from birth--I think. Sunpenny Publishing has just released Bridge to Nowhere, the first in a Miz Mike series--and yes--Miz Mike is from Texas! Three Prongs where the misfits fit. Sounds a bit like Bandera, Texas!
    authorstephanieparkermckean says:

    Brilliant! Amazing post and photos! Thank you so much for sharing this. Indeed, “Live for the Moment”! Love the ponies and am so surprised that animals eat gorse! Personally, I love it…from a safe distance!

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you – glad you enjoyed. That should read coarse grass not gorse. Ha ha I clearly had gorse on the brain after waxing lyrical about the smell. Ouch. Imagine the poor souls eating it. 😱

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      It’s a lovely town. We do love East Lothian.

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Then I’ll just have to start all over again from the beginning for you. 😊🐶

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      It’s a great town isn’t it. I really like the iPhone 6s camera. More and more these days I ditch the DSLR and use it for convenience instead. It’s not always great in low light and can over egg colour a bit but for hobby snapping and Instagram it’s great. 😊

  4. jansenphoto – West Boylston, MA – A Fresh Perspective Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment. Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael. My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals. Universal Connections My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation. This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections. Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client. And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
    jansenphoto says:

    Wonderful post! Love the humor of the wee dug getting ready to take on the ponies! Great blog, that I will enjoy following!!

    Frank

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you so much for reading and for your kind comment. We look forward to sharing in your adventures too.

  5. Little Miss Traveller – England – An independent traveller writing about her visits to countries near and far - travel diaries and days out providing inspiration for fellow travellers
    Little Miss Traveller says:

    Lovely post, I’ve been round these parts and your photos capture the local scenery so well.

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it. We love East Lothian. As you know from your visit it’s a beautiful part of Scotland.

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you so much for joining us on our travels. We love having you with us. 🐶🐾

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