Tuesday 6 October 2015

Strollers Walk No. 198 - Tuesday 20th October 2015, Dirleton to North Berwick

Walk No. 198:    Dirleton to North Berwick
Date:                 Tuesday 20th October 2015
Meet at:            Castle Inn, Dirleton
Finish at:          Church Road, North Berwick
Twenty six Strollers met up at Dirleton to walk the John Muir Way to North Berwick. Ian had managed to arrange refreshments in the Castle Inn before the walk and, what was even better, a gloriously sunny Autumn day with very little wind.
The picturesque village of Dirleton is home to the ruins of the castle first built around 1100 and expanded by the de Vaux family in the 12th century. Being in the path of the English armies marching on Edinburgh the castle was besieged several times and finally left in its current state by Cromwell’s army in 1650. The Kirk dates from 1512 when Dirleton had a bigger population than Gullane.
Making our way from Dirleton past Yellowcraigs to join up with the John Muir Way. Named in memory of John Muir who was born in Dunbar but moved to America at an early age and was instrumental in setting up the National Parks there including Yosemite and Sequoia. The path has now been extended so you can walk from Dunbar all the way to Helensburgh. Joining the path we had a good sight of Fidra lighthouse built by Thomas Stevenson father of Robert who wrote Treasure Island which is though to be inspired by Fidra. Making our way along the path to North Berwick, Berwick meaning ‘barley farmstead’. ‘Bere’ meaning barley and ‘wic’ meaning farmstead from Old English.
We followed the edge of North Berwick West golf course founded in 1832, though local Kirk records show golf was played here in 1611 when two gentlemen were brought to task for playing on a Sunday. Passing the big mansions that were built for the wealthy in the 19th century when the visit of Edward Prince of Wales in 1859 boosted the popularity of the town we made our way towards the harbour area. The harbour was built around 1200, though evidence suggests there may have been a harbour from the 8th century. For over 500 years the harbour operated a ferry across to Earlsferry near Elie in Fife. This year a new ferry service was started to Anstruther over the summer.
We’d like to thank Ian for arranging the walk and such a beautiful day.