North Berwick.

I went on a wee day trip today to the seaside town of North Berwick, just 25 miles east of Edinburgh on the Firth of Forth. There was not a whole lot happening there today but I did enjoy a quiet stroll along the beach and up along a pathway atop the cliffs. It was quite chilly and gray, even had a few snow flurries at times, but the weather really did seem fitting for North Berwick. In general, I guess this really is the way Scotland is supposed to be - bright green grass and dull gray skies!

From North Berwick I took a ten minute bus ride south to Tantallon Castle. This castle was built in the 1350s from red sandstone and was home to the Douglas family. Unlike most other castles, Tantallon only has one long wall (they call it 'the curtain') which runs the width of a narrow piece of land jutting out the the sea. The ends of the castle are built into the cliffs and the other side of the castle is left open to the sea. This seems ideal since then only one side is exposed to land invaders. Tantallon is one of the more impressive castles I have been to in Scotland yet due to its sheer size and height, as well as its position over looking the sea. From what is left of the ruins, it appears the castle had at least 5 or so floors which is quite impressive given that it was built almost 700 years ago!