North Berwick - Your next favourite holiday spot

The year is 1590, the crowd cheers as the supposed witches are finally executed after

ruining King James VI’s trip home with a storm after marrying Anne of Denmark.

However, standing on the green outside the famous Scottish seabird centre in the

picturesque town of North Berwick that was the last thing on my mind. With its beautiful

seaside houses and gorgeous view of Fife and the islands, heinous witch acts and evil

torturing are a thing of the past.

Growing up a ten minute drive away from the town and attending North Berwick High

School, my opinion on the place could be seen as extremely biassed but everytime I mention

North Berwick to anyone they tell me how much they adore my little hometown.

North Berwick is a seaside town and a royal burgh in East Lothian, Scotland it is situated on

the south shore of the Firth of Forth and approximately east/northeast of Edinburgh. North

Berwick became a fashionable holiday resort in the nineteenth century due to its two sandy

beaches both the east bay and the west bay, and to this day it still attracts holidaymakers.

Whilst walking down the highstreet I couldn't make it two feet forward without someone

stopping me for a chat. Now you may be thinking,

“Tavia, thats because youre from there,

everyone knows you,

” well yes that's true I do know a lot of people from North Berwick, but I

haven't lived there in nearly 4 years, so anyone I did know is now long gone in their

adventures to university or jobs, the older people I know no longer recognise me unless I’m

with my mum. Whilst on my stroll I stopped into one of the local cafes for a hot chocolate,

and followed that up with a little trip into one of the small shops. The array of items was

astounding for such a small space, but it was cosy and warm and it felt like home.

Now don't get me wrong, I know where to go and where not to go in North Berwick for

someone to have the perfect day out, and one place I will admit I would steer clear of is the

lodge grounds, it’s a large park in the middle of the town and during the day the lodge is

stunning, I went in for a visit as it was my grandma's favourite place and I have fond

memories of her taking me to the playpark and letting me feed the birds in the small aviary at

the entrance to the park, I hadn't been there in years but North Berwick in bloom really has

made it gorgeous, every corner I turned there was a beautiful wildflower growing, or some

perfectly trimmed bushes. The smell of the flowers made my head spin and listening to the

kids play at the park gave me a sense of nostalgia however I would stay away from the

grounds anytime after 9 on a Friday and Saturday night, not because the lodge is dangerous

or unsafe, I just get scared of teenagers shouting at me.

My favourite nights in North Berwick are always nights when something is on in the town,

like the fringe by the sea or the rugby sevens, this is where everyone from the town and

tourists get chatting and you meet the most interesting characters, no matter where you're

from, the town of North Berwick will always welcome you with open arms and you will be

extremely comfortable in any situation you find yourself.

The final thing I will say is if you're lucky enough to find yourself in North Berwick on a warm,

sunny day, take yourself to the harbour and follow the hoards of children and teens walkingtowards the harbour wall or the boat docks, make sure its high tide and take a leap off. A fun

activity the locals call ‘harbour jumping.

’ It gives you an adrenaline rush like nothing else,

however I will warn you not to get caught by the harbour master, or he will try and chase you

with his dog (personally the scariest thing I've ever experienced).

But whether you're playing golf in the cold or tanning on the beaches in the warm, North

Berwick has everything you could ask for and it always makes you feel at home.

North Berwick is a 30 minute train ride, a must do whilst in North Berwick is to try the most

charming little cafe there ‘tea at tiffanys.

’ There are plenty of places to stay in North Berwick

but if you're there for a little while the marine hotel or the nether abbey are wonderful places

to stay. If you're looking for something fun to do with your day make sure to visit the ruins of

Tantallon castle and make sure to look out for the ghost of the green lady.