Page 78 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

76  SC O TLAND REGION B Y REGION FUR THER AFIELD  77

5 Hopetoun House A programme of near Dirleton, is the rock and on the Island of
restoration has another lovely bay, Fidra, for live coverage of the
West Lothian. Tel (0131) 331 2451.
3 Dalmeny then taxi. Open Apr–Sep: helped the town lying about 400 m birdlife without disturbing it.
10:30am–5pm daily. & 7 8 - to retain its char- (440 yds) from the Also of interest along this
∑ hopetoun.co.uk acter. The River car park. Limetree coastline are the medieval
Tyne encloses the Walk, near Tyning­ strongholds of Dirleton Castle
An extensive parkland by the town, and there hame, has the long, and Tantallon Castle, both
Firth of Forth, designed in the are attractive east­facing beach of badly damaged during Crom­
style of Versailles, is the setting riverside walks Ravensheugh Sands well’s sieges of 1650. There is
for one of Scotland’s finest stately and parkland. (a ten­minute walk a small industrial museum at
homes. The origi nal house was (“A Walk Around along a wood land Prestonpans. In rolling farmland,
completed in 1707 and later Haddington” track). Dunbar and near the village of Pencaitland,
absorbed into William Adam’s guide is available North Berwick are Glenkinchie Distillery is one
grand extension. The dignified, from newsagents.) towns worthy of a of only three remaining
horseshoe-shaped plan and The parish church visit. Belhaven Bay, Lowland whisky distilleries.
lavish interior represent Neo- Ornate fountain in the ruins of Linlithgow Palace of St Mary’s, just west of Dunbar, Informative tours end with
Classical 18th-century archi- south east of the is a large beach single malt tastings.
tecture at its best. The red and its huge fire place and windows. centre, dates from 1462 and is providing walks
yellow state drawing rooms, The res tored fountain in the one of the largest in the area. along the estuary of Tantallon Castle, looking out to the North Sea O Scottish Seabird Centre
with their Rococo plasterwork courtyard was a wedding pres- Parts of the church have been the River Tyne. Barns Tel (01620) 890202. Open daily. &
and ornate mantelpieces, ent in 1538 from James V to his rebuilt in later years, having been Ness, east of Dunbar, of North Berwick. This sheltered 7 8 ∑ seabird.org
are particularly impressive. wife, Mary of Guise. His daugh ter, destroyed in the siege of 1548. offers a geological nature trail bay has spectacular views of the + Dirleton Castle
A highlight of a visit here is Mary, Queen of Scots (see p48), and an impressive lighthouse. Bass Rock, home to one of the Tel (01620) 850330. Open daily. &
the afternoon tea available in was born at Linlithgow in 1542. Skateraw Harbour is an attrac tive largest gannet (a type of marine ∑ historicenvironment.scot
the stables tearoom, with the The adjacent Church of 8 East Lothian small bay, despite the presence bird) colonies in Britain. The
option of a champagne tea. St Michael is Scotland’s largest of Torness nuclear power station rock itself can be seen at close + Tantallon Castle
Tel (01620) 892727. Open daily. &
pre-Reformation church and Coast to the east. Finally, there is quarters by taking the boat trip ∑ historicenvironment.scot
a fine example of the Scottish n Edinburgh Lothians (0845) another de lightful beach to be from North Berwick harbour
Dec orated style. Consecrated 225 5121. found at Seacliff, reached by a (summer only). At the town’s  Glenkinchie Distillery
in the 13th century, the church private toll road that leaves the Scottish Seabird Centre it is Tel (01875) 342012. Open daily. &
was damaged by the fire of 1424. Stretching east from Mussel burgh A198 about 3 km (2 miles) east possible to control cameras on ∑ malts.com
for some 65 km (40 miles), the
coast of East Lothian offers many
7 Haddington opportunities for beach activities, East Lothian Coastal Walk Tips for Walkers
East Lothian. n Edinburgh & Lothians windsurfing, golf, viewing For a very attractive longer coast walk, there is easy public
(0845) 225 5121. seabirds and coastal walks. The access along the footpath from Gullane Bay to North Starting point: Gullane Bay.
coastline is a pleasant mixture Berwick. The path follows the coastline, crossing grassy Finishing point: North Berwick.
This attractive county town is of beaches, low cliffs, wood land, heathland between the alternating sandy bays and low Length: 10 km (6 miles); 3 hours.
situated about 24 km (15 miles) golf courses and some farmland. rocky headlands, with views of the coast of Fife Getting there: by car; a bus
east of Edinburgh. It was Although the A198 and A1 are to the north. There are small islands along ser vice between Edinburgh
destroyed on various occasions adjacent to the coast for only the way. The last part of the walk into and North Berwick gives access
during the Wars of Indepen dence short distances, they give easy North Berwick has wonderful views to both ends.
Level: easy (one steep section).
in the 13th–14th centuries, and access to a series of public car east to the white slopes of the
A wooden panel above the main stairs again in the 16th century. The parks (a small charge is made Bass Rock.
depicting Hopetoun House agricultural revo lution brought in summer) close to the shore.
great prosperity, giving Hadding- Among these visitor points is
ton many historic houses, chur- Gullane, perhaps the best beach
6 Linlithgow Palace ches, and other public buildings. for seaside activities. Yellowcraig,
Kirk Gate, Linlithgow, West Lothian.
Tel (01506) 842896. 3 @ Open Apr– Dirleton North Berwick
Sep: 9:30am–5:30pm daily; Oct–Mar:
10am–4pm daily. & 7 limited. =
∑ historicenvironment.scot J Muirfield
Standing on the edge of
Linlithgow Loch, the former royal Gullane
palace of Linlithgow is one of the
country’s most-visited ruins. It Key
dates back largely to the building Urban area
com missioned by James I in 1425, Route
though some sections date from Major road
the 14th century. The vast scale 0 kilometres Minor road
of the building is best seen in the 2
28-m- (94-ft-) long Great Hall, with The historic and tranquil town of Haddington on the River Tyne 0 miles 1 Train line
For hotels and restaurants see pp172–3 and pp181–3 For additional map symbols see back flap

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