Guests have the full use of spectacular open-plan sitting and dining room, furnished with fine antiques and paintings, from which there is one of the “best views in Scotland”, towards Broad Sands Beach and Fidra Island. Fidra is rumoured to be the island which inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island”. There is a Bechstein concert grand piano for those who feel so inspired !
The owner is a Cambridge history graduate and retired financier with a passion for cooking and he will greet you with fresh bakery and tea/coffee. (Proper tea leaves !). He is a keen host and loves meeting and entertaining his new guests from all over the world. Bacon and eggs and all the trimmings arrive for breakfast, supplied by the famous Anderson Butcher in North Berwick.
The host is happy to run a load of washing through the machine, and dry either outside or in the tumble dryer.
Local Attractions
North Berwick lies on the East Lothian coast with spectacular cliffs to its east and sweeping beaches to the west. The town is dominated by the volcanic outcrop of Berwick Law. To this day North Berwick remains a popular resort and golfing centre. The town has a bustling High Street with a wide range of independent retailers as well as national multiples. The North Berwick Sailing Club has many facilities including sail training and a well-equipped sports centre and swimming pool. Two golf courses cater for the sportsman, whilst inland there is a wealth of walking and riding opportunities amidst the unspoilt countryside of East Lothian and the Lammermuir Hills. Edinburgh can be reached in around 45 minutes by car, or by a well subscribed train service from North Berwick to Waverley Station in Edinburgh city centre. There are many excellent coffee shops and well regarded restaurants in North Berwick and nearby Gullane, and your host can advise on choice and make bookings on your behalf. North Berwick is about a 15 – 20 minute walk. If you wish, your host will drive you to North Berwick on a complimentary basis and you can walk or take a taxi home after dinner.
There are very many local attractions, including:
• North Berwick Sea Bird Centre with boat trips to the Bass Rock and the Isle of May,
• 13th Century Tantallon Castle, a spectacular Curtain Wall castle a few miles east of North Berwick, formerly the seat of the Red Douglas Family
• Dirleton Castle - This magnificent fortress – first built in 1240 – a residence which served three successive noble families over 400 years. Badly damaged in Cromwell’s 1650 siege, Dirleton’s fortunes were revived by its new owners in the 1660s.
• Haddington market town – with a busy high street and many fine Georgian buildings.
• Pressmennan Wood - beautiful mature woodland sits on a vantage point overlooking Pressmennan Lake and the surrounding countryside. It’s home to an abundance of wildlife such as deer, owls, otters and bats
• Broad Sands beach and Whitecraig Beach, and a wonderful beach walk to Gullane. (about two hours). You can take the bus back ! There is access to Broadsands directly from Quarry Court.
• The coastal town of Dunbar, with a wide high street with medieval buildings, impressive harbour, and golf course. Infrequent train service to London.
• 4 golf courses at Gullane, plus Archerfield Golf Course, the Renaissance Golf Course, and Muirfield are within a few minutes drive. (Tee times can be difficult to obtain and need to be arranged in advance).
• The Walled Garden at Archerfield, with excellent catering and pleasant walks.