Bass Rock rises from the sea beyond a clifftop visitor building where people gather to look out.
Lothian

Drift

A clifftop cafe built from shipping containers on a farm near North Berwick, with views over the Firth of Forth to the Bass Rock.

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Welcome

On a farm on the clifftop east of North Berwick, half a mile from Tantallon Castle, a cluster of shipping containers with great glass windows makes an unusual cafe.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Drift looks out over miles of unspoilt coast, with the Firth of Forth spread below and the Bass Rock rising white from the sea.

It began as a way for the farm to diversify. Everything is made on the spot, from cakes and scones to soups and brunches, often to recipes handed down in the family, with as much Scottish produce as possible and menus that change with the seasons.

Inside, the tables face the view; outside, there are picnic tables on the grass and trailers serving coffee, ice cream, burgers and the famous bacon rolls. Walkers and cyclists stop in on their way along the coast. It is busy all year, so booking a table is a good idea.

Before you go

Open daily from 9.30am; food until 3pm, with a takeaway trailer outside.

Booking is wise, even out of season.

Where
Quarrel Sands, near North Berwick, EH39 5PL.
Open
Daily from 9.30am.
Parking
Two hours for customers.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
9.30am–4pm
Tuesday
9.30am–4pm
Wednesday
9.30am–4pm
Thursday
9.30am–4pm
Friday
9.30am–4pm
Saturday
9.30am–4pm
Sunday
9.30am–4pm

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Did you know

Snow dusts an Edinburgh street running down toward the Old Town, a clock tower rising above the rooftops and a figure walking below.
Did you know

A farm cafe.

Drift began as a way for the farm on the clifftop to diversify.

Bass Rock sits offshore beyond a clifftop visitor building where people look out to sea.
Did you know

Half a mile from Tantallon.

Drift is only half a mile from Tantallon Castle.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Lothian

On a farm clifftop east of North Berwick, half a mile from Tantallon, a cluster of shipping containers with big glass windows makes a café with a view. The Firth of Forth spreads out in front of you and the Bass Rock rises white from the sea. Everything is made on the spot, from scones and soups to brunches, often to family recipes and with as much Scottish produce as possible. Outside there are picnic tables on the grass and trailers serving coffee, ice cream and the famous bacon rolls. It's busy all year, so book a table.

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