The bustling harbour at North Berwick, along the East Lothian Line, Scotland

North Berwick Law along the East Lothian Line, Scotland

East Beach at North Berwick along the East Lothian Line

Stretching 25 miles from the bustling Scottish capital of Edinburgh to the charming seaside town of North Berwick.

Heading east from Edinburgh you'll see Meadowbank Stadium that was originally built to hold the 1970 Commonwealth Games, before passing through Musselburgh and into the rolling countryside beyond Wallyford onto Prestonpans. Here you can visit the Battle of Prestonpans (1745) site.

Get some fresh air at Longniddry and walk or cycle to the county town of Haddington along the old railway line. Look out for many excellent golf courses including Muirfield, a renowned host to major championships amateur and professional including The Open.

North Berwick sees your East Lothian rail journey come to an end but there's still time to explore this unspoilt seaside resort with its award winning beaches, vibrant high street and bustling harbour before it's time to catch the train back.

Highlights

Discover The Scottish Seabird Centre

Travel along the only railway line in the UK to cross a battlefield (Battle of Prestonpans 1745)

Climb the North Berwick Law for spectacular views of the Scotland's coast

Find out more

Local line website

Getting there

Train/bus Car Plane

Parking in North Berwick is the summer season can be difficult, but travel East from Edinburgh on the A1 and turn off past Tranent onto the A198 (well signposted).

Trains run daily from Edinburgh Waverley on an hourly basis (half hourly on Saturdays).

East Coast Buses run a daily half hourly bus service from Edinburgh Princes Street to North Berwick (route 124) and also a less frequent express service X5 (Monday – Friday only). Full timetable details and links can be found here: https://eastlothiancrp.org.uk/

Edinburgh Airport is less than 45 minutes tram and train ride away from Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station.

More information about flying to Edinburgh can be found here: http://www.edinburghairport.com/

Route

Edinburgh Waverley - North Berwick

Cost

£7.30 Off-Peak Day Return

Opening times

7 days a week | all year

Journey time

33 minutes

Distance

25 miles | 40 km

Time from London

4:30 hours (see itinerary)

Plan your trip

Suggested itinerary

Leave Edinburgh on the East Coast mainline and you quickly pass Meadowbank Stadium on the left, built to hold the 1970 Commonwealth Games. You soon pass Musselburgh and into the rolling countryside beyond Wallyford to Prestonpans where if you alight you can visit the site of the Battle of Prestonpans (1745), the line being the only one in the UK to cross a battlefield.

At Longniddry you can walk or cycle to the county town of Haddington on the old railway line. Beyond Longniddry on the left is the village of Gullane in the distance – home of many excellent golf courses, including Muirfield where The Open is held from time to time and also on the left just beyond Gullane is Dirleton village, where you’ll see a castle. On the right are the Lammermuir Hills.

At Drem we leave the main line and travel to North Berwick on the single track branch line. . Look out for the North Berwick Law (613ft or 187m) on the right as you approach the town. This volcanic plug is a relatively easy climb with wild Exmoor ponies grazing all year round.

North Berwick is an unspoiled seaside resort boasting award winning beaches, a vibrant High Street, a harbour, many restaurants (some alfresco) and cafes and is also home to The Scottish Seabird Centre, one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions. North Berwick is also home to the Fringe by the Sea Festival, held annually during the Edinburgh Festival attracting many quality acts.

Regular summer boat trips to islands in the Firth of Forth and Anstruther in Fife are also available.