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North Berwick Law

North Berwick Law may only be 187 metres tall but it dominates the surrounding landscape, rising out of flat farmland beside the sea at North Berwick. It is a volcanic plug formed around 340 million years ago.

A couple of thousand years ago a fort was built on the Law, taking advantage of the fantastic defensive situation created by the steep sides of the hill.

North Berwick Law

At several points on the Law there are flattish terraces, and these were used for occupation. Three walls were built from stone to enclose these areas, although they aren’t very obvious today as much of the stone has fallen down the steep slopes.

North Berwick Law

One wall enclosed an area of around 90 metres by 150 metres at the top, the wall being approximately 15 metres below the summit. While the central part of this area is rocky and uneven, there is a flatter terrace around it, with fantastic views out over North Berwick and beyond to the River Forth.

North Berwick Law

Further down there is a small terrace to the south west, overlooking the car park far below, and this was enclosed by a second wall.

North Berwick Law

A third wall surrounded the lower part of the Law, enclosing a wide terrace to the south and south-east upon which numerous circular huts would have stood.

As well as being affected by gravity over the years, the fort has probably been disturbed by several developments connected to its use as a lookout post down the centuries. In 1544 a lookout was kept during the approach of Henry VIII’s navy under the Earl of Hereford, on his way to do a bit of Rough Wooing.

North Berwick Law

In 1803 a watch house was built from stone to give advanced warning of a Napoleonic invasion, and during the Second World War a brick-built building was erected to watch for the Germans.

Also on the summit is a fibreglass replica of a whale’s jawbone, replacing an earlier real jawbone which had two further predecessors dating back to 1709.

North Berwick Law

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Alternative names for North Berwick Law

Berwick Law

Where is North Berwick Law?

North Berwick Law is in the parish of North Berwick and the county of East Lothian.

Grid reference: NT 5564 8422

Lat / long: 56.048794, -2.714696

Bing Maps | Google Maps | Historic maps (NLS) | OpenStreetMap | Ordnance Survey | PastMap | Streetmap | Wikimapia

OS Map for North Berwick Law

OS map 351
Dunbar & North Berwick (Musselburgh & Haddington)
OS Explorer map 351


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Directions to North Berwick Law

Enter a starting point

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Weather at North Berwick Law

7°C
max 7°C / min 7°C
10km/h N
1029mb
85%
100%
03:57 20:17

Overcast clouds
Weather observed at North Berwick at 04:09

References (books)

Guide to Prehistoric Scotland
Richard Feachem
London, 1963

References (websites)

Canmore

Ancient sites near North Berwick Law

St Baldred's Cave cave

4.9km away

Drylawhill cursus

7.2km away

Preston Mains cursus

7.6km away

The Chesters fort

7.7km away

Pencraig Hill standing stone

7.9km away

Hanging Craig fort

7.9km away

Seaton Law fort

7.9km away

Kae Heughs fort

8.8km away

Kirklandhill standing stone

9.1km away
more ancient sites....
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Castles near North Berwick Law

North Berwick Castle

1.1km away

Leuchie House

1.9km away

Balgone House

2.2km away

Fenton Tower

2.5km away

Sydserf House

2.9km away

Waughton Castle

3.5km away

Dirleton Castle

4.0km away

Tantallon Castle

4.1km away

Congalton (site of)

4.3km away
more castles....
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Pictish stones near North Berwick Law

Abercrombie 1 Class III cross slab

19.5km away

Abercrombie 2 Class III cross slab

19.5km away

Abercrombie 3 Class III cross slab

19.5km away

Abercrombie 4 Class III cross slab

19.5km away

The Coves, Caiplie Class I symbols

22.0km away

Largo Class II cross slab

23.3km away

Crail Class III cross-slab

24.4km away

Scoonie Class II cross slab

24.5km away

Sliding Cave Class I rock carving

24.7km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near North Berwick Law

Traprain Law silver chain

9.8km away

Haddington silver chain

11.5km away

Norrie's Law hoard

27.3km away

Hoardweel silver chain

33.5km away

Whitlaw silver chain

36.8km away

Borland silver chain

62.1km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

64.2km away

Whitecleugh silver chain

97.8km away

Dunnicaer fort

105.6km away
more Pictish sites....
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Accommodation near North Berwick Law

No12 Quality Street
bed and breakfastNorth Berwick
1.1km away
Nether Abbey
hotelNorth Berwick
1.7km away
Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa
hotel, restaurant, barNorth Berwick
2.0km away
Fenton Tower
hotelNorth Berwick
2.5km away
Sawmill Cottage
self-catering cottageTyninghame
7.6km away
Ducks at Kilspindie House
hotel, restaurant, barAberlady
10.1km away
Maitlandfield House Hotel
hotelHaddington
11.2km away
Bell's Bothy Bunkhouse
hostelHaddington
12.0km away
Letham House
hotelLennoxlove
12.4km away
Rowan Cottage Guest House
hotelDunbar
12.5km away

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bed and breakfasts
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more accommodation....

Cafés, restaurants & bars near North Berwick Law

Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa
hotel, restaurant, barNorth Berwick
2.0km away
Smeaton Nursery Gardens & Tearoom
caféEast Linton
6.8km away
Ducks at Kilspindie House
hotel, restaurant, barAberlady
10.1km away
Gosford Bothy Farm Shop
caféAberlady
10.9km away
Station Buffet Bar
barElie
17.0km away
Symphony Craw's Nest Hotel and Restaurant
hotel, restaurant, barAnstruther
19.0km away
Kilconquhar Castle Estate
hotel, restaurant, self-catering cottagesElie
19.5km away
Carberry Tower
hotel, bar, restaurantMusselburgh
24.1km away
Premier Inn Edinburgh A1 (Musselburgh)
hotel, restaurantEdinburgh
24.2km away
The Birdcage
restaurant, barMusselburgh
24.7km away
more food.... / more drink....

Related pages

Dirleton Castle in East Lothian
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Garden of Cosmic Speculation plus castles
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Inveraray Castle and standing stone
Inveraray Castle and standing stone
A doocot, a castle and a beach in East Lothian
A doocot, a castle and a beach in East Lothian
A pair of castles on the River Tweed
A pair of castles on the River Tweed
Dunbar harbour and castle
Dunbar harbour and castle
Published on the 14th of May 2010 at 4:20 pm. Updated on the 9th of June 2019 at 4:01 pm.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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