At Walks Upon A Time, I offer informative and entertaining guided walks in North
Berwick and the surrounding areas, blending nature and history. Book your tour today and discover the Firth of Forth's nature and past like never before!
Regular shoreline walks are held on Thursdays at 10:30 and can be booked below whilst a selection of other walks are also shown. Just click the 'Enquire now' button and get in touch to book any one of these walks.
I also take part in Fringe By The Sea, East Lothian WalkFest and our local Archaeology & Heritage Festival. Walks offered through these events will be highlighted here as well.
If you have any questions at all please do get in touch.
Guided Walks
Kirk to Castle
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Rating: Easy (includes steps, beach, with steeper optional walk up Castle Hill)
Themes: Volcanoes, Romans, Witches, Saints, Battles, Mythology
Starting from the seating area in front of the Scottish Seabird Centre we will walk across the Kirk Ness before heading into the historic Harbour area and then back along the East Beach to Castle Hill, the site of North Berwick Castle.
Our walk will see us cover plenty of history from the North Berwick Witch Trials to how the land around us was formed with volcanoes, bombs and ash flows. The medieval Saint Andrew's Pilgrimage route will feature along with plenty of high politics and Kingly shenanigans.
Cost: £10
North Berwick to Tantallon
Duration: 4 hours
Rating: Medium to Hard (there are a number of steep climbs and rocky scrambles)
Themes: Geology, Medieval, Modern, Lighthouses, World Wars I & II
Starting from in front of the Seabird Centre we will travel across the East Beach to Partain Crag discussing the local geology finding ourselves traversing volcanic bombsites and standing amongst some of the oldest rocks in Southern Scotland.
Heading along the shoreline we stand amongst multiple volcanic vents before reaching Canty Bay, Gin Head and eventually the foot of Tantallon Castle. This all offers superb views of the Bass Rock and a mix of stories about nature, history and devilish goings on.
This walk is tide dependent so please do get in touch as it offers a unique view of both our geology and history.
Cost: £12
Kirk Ness to Yellowcraigs
Duration: 3 hours
Rating: Easy (beach walk with small climb up steps and return along roads)
Themes: Geology, Golf, Church, Medieval, World Wars I & II
This offers a good morning or afternoon's walk. We will meet in front of the Seabird Centre before heading out along the West Beach to Broad Sands, taking in the views of Craigleith, the Lamb and Fidra.
Chatting about everything from golf to pilgrims and wartime defences to celtic goddesses this walk takes in a huge sweep of time and history.
Along the way we will be able to admire the nature we spot. Seabirds such as gannets and terns are a regular sight, whilst shorebirds such as sanderlings, ringed plover and turnstones can often be seen as well.
Walking through Yellowcraig woodland we will go up steps to the viewpoint affording views across the Forth before heading on to the remains of a searchlight station from World War II. At this point we will head back to North Berwick retracing some of our steps but returning across fields to the outskirts of the town.
Cost: £12
North Berwick to Canty Bay
Duration: 3 hours
Rating: Medium (Beach & path walking with ups, some steep, and downs)
Themes: Geology, Medieval, Modern, Lighthouses, World Wars I & II
Following the same coastline route as the walk to Tantallon, we start at the Seabird Centre and traverse the East Beach to Partain Crag. Along the way we discuss local geology, volcanic bombs, very old rocks and manmade hills.
From here we visit multiple volcanic vents before reaching a steep climb up to Drift Cafe and from this point walk to the top of Canty Bay.
This walk offers superb views of the Bass Rock and a mix of stories about nature, history and devilish goings on. Get in touch to book today!
Cost: £12
Shore to Summit
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Rating: Medium (fairly steep gradient in places but with good paths)
Themes: Volcanoes, Medieval, Modern, Literature, Mythology, Bronze & Iron Age
Starting from the Scottish Seabird Centre we will walk along the East Beach to the Milsey Burn where we will head up Ladies' Walk and The Glen. From here we will head through the marshland at the foot of the Law taking time to enjoy the bird life (Coots, Moorhen, Greylag, Grebe & Heron to name a few).
Heading up the Law we will pass through Bronze Age village and Iron Age fortifications.
Although only 187m in height, this walk offers a good leg stretch with a choice of routes both up and down depending upon ability and your own sense of adventure.
There is a herd of wild Exmoor ponies so be aware that we might encounter them (although I should say they are very well behaved around humans that leave them to their own devices).
The top offers unparalleled views of East Lothian, Fife and Edinburgh plus the whale jaw bones that feature in my logo!
Cost: £12
East Linton to Traprain
Duration: 3 hours
Rating: Easy to Medium (good paths with a steep climb)
Themes: Medieval, Modern, Geology, Roman, Mythology, World War II
Starting in East Linton, at the Mart Farm Shop, we will walk out of this historic town and along the River Tyne, enjoying beautiful countryside and the picturesque riverside wildlife.
Hailes Castle is our first destination, once a Hepburn family stronghold and where Mary Queen of Scots stayed with her notorious husband, the Earl of Bothwell.
From here we head for Traprain Law, the former capital of Lothian. With treasure hoards, ancient fortifications and links to Romans and Glasgow’s St. Mungo, there's a lot to talk about!
We return along the same paths to East Linton where pubs and cafes afford a wide choice of welcome refreshments.
Cost: £12
Regular Bookable Walk
Read MoreJoin your guide Kevin for a fun wander around the harbour and shoreline
1 hr 30 min
From 8 British pounds