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19 Woodhall Dean 19


Situated four miles south of Dunbar, Woodhall Dean is an ancient semi-natural woodland filled with sessile oak, and is one of the few surviving remnants of the forests that covered much of southern Scotland 5,000 years ago. The best time to visit is spring and summer when a walk in the woods on the steep narrow circular path, amongst the twisted trees, luxuriant plant life and abundant bird and other wildlife, will seem to transport you to a magical world. Keep an eye out for that elusive British creature, the adder.


Postcode: EH42 1SH www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk


20 17 Traprain Law 17


Prominent and unmistakeable in the landscape, Traprain Law is the ‘plug’ or vent of an ancient volcano, like North Berwick Law and the Bass Rock. Access is from a parking area on the north side. Climb the 221 metres for spectacular views across East Lothian. Look out for the remains of an Iron Age hill fort, once home to the Votadini tribe. A hoard of Roman silver tableware, thought to be a payment to the Votadini, was found on Traprain Law in 1919. You can see the impressive collection in the Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.


Nearest postcode: EH41 4LF Tel: 01620 827279 www.eastlothian.gov.uk


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20 Barns Ness and White Sands 20


This seashore site is the best place in central Scotland to look for fossils in the limestone and shales (follow the Scottish Fossil code and don’t hammer or dig out fossils). Walking from Whitesands to Barns Ness is to step back in time; between 360-290 million years in fact. The area is also a landing point for migrating birds and home to one of East Lothian’s more elusive denizens, the common lizard. The Barns Ness lighthouse was built in 1901 by engineer David Stevenson, cousin of writer Robert Louis Stevenson.


Postcode: EH42 1QP Tel: 01620 827279 www.eastlothian.gov.uk


18 Pressmennan Wood 1


Walk through one of the last traces of Scotland’s ancient oak woodland. Rich in wildlife, roe deer secretly roam through the trees; otters fish in the lake; woodpeckers can be heard high in the trees; bats and owls come out at dusk in search of food. In spring discover primroses, tranquil bluebells and tasty wood sorrel. But there are other things living here... Follow the sculpture trail and if you’re lucky you may spot a wooden door in the trunk of a dead oak or the glint of a small stained glass window high up among the branches; a home for one of the mystical creatures that inhabit Pressmennan.


Nearest postcode: EH42 1TF www.woodlandtrust.org.uk


21 St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve 21


Formed by volcanoes, the sheer cliffs, offshore stacks and narrow gullies of St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve provide scenic beauty and a habitat for some outstanding wildlife. The 90 metre cliffs are home to colonies of guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, shags, fulmars, puffins and herring gulls which nest on narrow ledges from April to August. Although best known for its seabirds, the Reserve also has flower rich grasslands and a freshwater loch. There is an exhibition at the visitor centre, from where trails and ranger-guided walks are available. The village of St Abbs is nearby and the sea around the area with its crystal clear water is a well-known scuba diving area.


Admission charge (for visitor centre only) Nature Reserve: open all year, daily. Visitor Centre: 1 Apr to 31 Oct, daily 10am-5pm.


Postcode: TD14 5QF Tel: 0844 493 2256 www.nts.org.uk


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