In every corner of Scotland you’ll find breathtaking scenery but this delightful town – sitting around 25 miles east of Edinburgh – really is an attractive place.
Back in 2016, a Bank of Scotland report listed North Berwick as the most expensive seaside town for property in Scotland.
I’d imagine owning a house here is like owning a house in the Hamptons. Glamorous, picturesque and slightly aspirational.
So an overnight stay at the Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa, with my mum in tow, was just what was required after I’d endured a hectic few weeks.
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The hospitality of the locals and the hotel staff made this trip truly memorable. The moment we stepped through the door of our accommodation we were welcomed with open arms – and this cordiality continued throughout the next 24 hours.
Our room was cosy, clean and comfortable, with incredible views of the Firth of Forth. So struck was she by the sight of Fife across the water, my mum spent a good portion of the evening gazing out in awe.
After getting our bearings, we ventured outside.
With the sun beating down on us we strolled along the seafront, passing plenty of keen golfers as we went. We were particularly keen to catch a glimpse of Fidra, a small uninhabited island lying 2.5 miles north-west of North Berwick, and the supposed inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s much-loved Treasure Island.
Further along the coastline sits Bass Rock. In 2010, Sir David Attenborough described the island, home to the world’s largest colony of northern gannets, as “one of the 12 wildlife wonders of the world”.
And it really is spectacular. The island is now a protected nature reserve and only the Scottish Seabird Centre is authorised to run seasonal trips out to the rock.
But the awareness of our impending spa treatment prevented us from taking one of these trips, so we made a mental note to add it to our to-do list for next time. (There will definitely be a next time.)
As a pre-dinner treat we opted for full-body massages.
After an hour of pure relaxation, we emerged feeling significantly less tense and significantly more annoyed that we couldn’t indulge in a treatment like this every day.
But we didn’t feel disappointed for long because then it was time for dinner – and we couldn’t fault it one bit. The food was excellent and the service was even better, if that’s possible. Our friendly waiter helped guide us through the menu, explaining the options available.
My mum opted for the eggs benedict as a starter, which came out promptly and was beautifully presented.
Our main dishes – a vegetable tart – tasted fresh and flavoursome. So filling were they, we nearly had to take a rain check on dessert.
But after seeing the black forest gateau that a neighbouring table was enjoying, we couldn’t resist. It was the perfect portion and undeniably moreish.
After a peaceful and comfortable sleep in our generously sized beds we were up bright and early, ready to take advantage of the day ahead.
Unfortunately the weather was miserable, but we didn’t let it dampen our spirits as we set off for an early morning stroll.
The vibrant high street, with a range of quirky cafes and independent shops, had a real sense of community about it.
But it was one café in particular that I had my eye on. Steampunk Coffee, sitting just off the high street, specialises in small-batch, single-origin coffees.
A few people had recommended it to us and the caffeine enthusiast in me was absolutely dying to see what all the fuss was about, so we made a beeline for it – and, boy, did it pack a punch.
The quality of the coffee was superb, the atmosphere was friendly and the service was prompt and polite. A total win in our eyes.
As we headed back to collect our luggage we spotted North Berwick Law in the distance.
Both keen walkers, we decided to dump our stuff in the car and venture up the conical hill, which stands at 613 feet above sea level.
It was a lengthy climb and we were utterly defeated as we reached the summit. But the jaw-dropping views of the surrounding countryside made it all worth it.
This was one view I wouldn’t be forgetting anytime soon.