North Berwick Law facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Berwick Law |
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North Berwick Law seen from
the seafront of North Berwick |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 187 m (614 ft) |
| Prominence | 168 m (551 ft) |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Geography | |
 North Berwick Law
Location in East Lothian
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| OS grid | NT555842 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 66 |
North Berwick Law, often called Berwick Law, is a special kind of hill in East Lothian, Scotland. It's known as a "law" because it's a conical hill that stands out clearly from the flat land around it. This hill looks over the town of North Berwick and is about 613 feet (187 meters) tall. The north side of the Law is quite steep, like a very big ramp!
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How Was North Berwick Law Formed?
North Berwick Law is actually an ancient volcanic plug. Imagine a volcano that was active millions of years ago. When it stopped erupting, the magma (molten rock) inside its vent cooled down and became very hard rock. Over a very long time, the softer rock around this plug wore away. This happened because of things like wind, rain, and huge sheets of ice called glaciers during the ice age.
The hard rock of the volcanic plug was left standing tall. This type of formation is called a "crag and tail." The "crag" is the steep, rocky part (the Law itself), and the "tail" is a long ridge of rock that stretches out from it, in this case, towards the east. The rock itself is a type called phonolitic trachyte, which is a very tough volcanic rock.
A Look Back in Time: History of the Law
North Berwick Law has been an important spot for a very long time. At the very top, you can still see parts of an Iron Age hill fort. This was a fortified settlement built by people living in the Iron Age, hundreds of years ago. They likely used the hill's natural height for protection.
Later, during the Napoleonic Wars and World War II, military lookouts used the Law. They built small structures to watch for enemy ships or aircraft. Its high position made it perfect for keeping an eye on the surrounding area and the sea.
The Whale's Jawbone
One of the most famous things about North Berwick Law is the whale's jawbone that used to sit on its summit. Since 1709, a large jawbone from a whale has been placed there. It became a well-known landmark.
The original bone was replaced a few times over the years. However, in 2005, the last real jawbone had to be taken down because it was getting old and unsafe. But don't worry! On June 26, 2008, a new, strong fibreglass replica was lifted into place by a helicopter. It looks just like the old one! An anonymous friend of North Berwick donated the money to make sure the Law got its famous landmark back.
Reaching the Top: Accessing the Summit
If you want to explore North Berwick Law, you can walk to the top! There's a clear path that starts from a car park at the bottom of the hill. The walk up and back usually takes about an hour.
It's really important to stay on the marked path. This helps protect the hill from soil erosion, which is when the soil gets washed away by rain or wind. Once you reach the summit on a clear day, you'll be treated to amazing views! You can see across the Firth of Forth and spot the famous Bass Rock island nearby.
Images for kids
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North Berwick Law, North Berwick, East Lothian
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Berwick Law, seen from the town
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The whale's jawbone as it sat on top of North Berwick Law
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The replica of the original jawbone
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An anonymous friend of the town donated the replica jawbone
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Viewpoint indicator on North Berwick Law, with the Bass Rock in the background
