Did you know
A whale on the hill.
Whale jawbones have stood on top of the Law for some 250 years; today's is a replica.
Lothian
North Berwick Law
A volcanic hill rising 187 metres behind North Berwick, crowned by old lookout posts and a whale jawbone arch, with a view over the Forth.
Welcome
Rising sharply behind North Berwick, the Law is a perfect cone of a hill, 187 metres high, the plug of an ancient volcano.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
It can be seen from all over East Lothian, and the climb to the top is one of the great short walks of the region.
A waymarked path winds up from the car park at the foot of the hill, steeply in places, past rock and gorse to the summit. At the top are the remains of old lookout posts, some from the 18th century and some from the Second World War. And there is the arch of a whale's jawbone: whalebones have stood on the summit for some 250 years, and today's is a replica of the old ones.
The view is superb. Below lies the town with its harbour and red roofs, and beyond it the Firth of Forth opens out, with Craigleith, Fidra and the white Bass Rock offshore and the coast of Fife on the far side.
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Before you go
Open hillside, there at any time; a waymarked path to the top and back.
- Where
- Behind North Berwick, off the B1347.
- Height
- 187 metres.
- Path
- Waymarked, steep.
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Did you know
A volcanic plug.
North Berwick Law is the plug of an old volcano, rising to 187 metres.
Hidden Scotland
From our guide to Lothian
Rising sharply behind the town, the Law is the plug of an ancient volcano, 187 metres high and easy to spot from all over East Lothian. A waymarked path climbs from the car park at its foot, steep in places, through gorse and rock to the top. Up there you'll find the ruins of old lookout posts and an arch made from a whale's jawbone, a replica of the jawbones that have stood on the summit since 1709. The view takes in the red roofs of the town, the islands in the Forth and the coast of Fife beyond.
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What is on in LothianWhere it is
Just south of North Berwick, off the B1347, EH39 4EZ; the path starts from the car park at the foot of the hill.
Close byNorth Berwick.
North BerwickThe seaside town below.Under a mile 2 min by road
North Berwick Golf ClubThe West Links beside the town and the Firth of Forth, home of the original Redan, with the Bass Rock offshore and stone walls in play.1 mile 4 min by road
NørdenA shop of Scandinavian-inspired homeware, gifts, wellness and clothing on North Berwick's High Street.1 mile 5 min by road
The HerringboneA lively bar and restaurant on Westgate in North Berwick, with local and seasonal cooking, craft beers, wines and cocktails.1 mile 5 min by road
Milsey BayThe sands by the harbour.1 mile 5 min by road
Hopetoun MonumentAnother hill and a view, near Haddington.8 miles 12 min by road
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the Law, and when each is next free.
The Old Stable- Sleeps 2
- In Pittenweem
- 11 miles from North Berwick Law
The Crow’s Nest- Sleeps 4
- In Pittenweem
- 11 miles from North Berwick Law
Fifies- Sleeps 2
- In Pittenweem
- 11 miles from North Berwick Law
Maybell Cottage- Sleeps 2
- In Pittenweem
- 11 miles from North Berwick Law
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Read on
The collections it is in and more in Lothian.
Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .