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| towns in east lothian | |
| seaside resorts in scotland | |
| royal burghs | |
The Royal Burgh of North Berwick is a Seaside Town in East Lothian , Scotland . It is situated on the south shore of the Firth Of Forth , approximately 25 miles east of Edinburgh . North Berwick became a fashionable holiday resort in the 19th Century because of its two sandy bays, the East (or Milsey) Bay and the West Bay, and continues to attract holiday makers to this day. Golf courses at the ends of each bay are open to visitors. HISTORY The name North Berwick means North 'barley farmstead'. Bere in Old English means 'barley' and wic in Old English is 'farmstead'. The word North was applied to distinguish this Berwick from Berwick-upon-Tweed , which throughout the Middle Ages the Scots called South Berwick. It was recorded as Northberwyk in 1250. On the south of Berwick Law there is evidence of at least eighteen hut circles, rich middens and a field system dating from 2000 years ago. North Berwick Harbour was built in the 12th Century , and for 500 years there was a ferry crossing to Earlsferry , near Elie in Fife . This was popular with pilgrims to St Andrews . This ferry was recently reinstated; during the summer a boat travels between North Berwick and Anstruther in Fife, in homage to the original ferry. Excavations have shown there was activity at the harbour area from as early as the 8th century, while the "Auld Kirk Green" at the harbour was used for gatherings by the accused in the North Berwick Witch Trials . Legend has it that "Satan himself" attended a ritual there in 1590, although it is more likely that Satan was "played" by Francis Stewart Hepburn, 5th Earl Of Bothwell . During the 16th Century at least 70 people were implicated in the Witch Trials, and the events inspired works such as Burns' "Tam O' Shanter" and "The Thirteenth Member" by Mollie Hunter. English invaders in the Middle Ages led to the construction of nearby Tantallon Castle , and a nunnery was built at North Berwick. The late 19th century saw North Berwick develop Golf ing and holiday facilities. The size and population of the town remained fairly steady until the 1970s, at which point housebuilding began in earnest around the periphery of the town, first to the south (1950s-70s), then a series of major expansions to the west (1980s-present) along the line of the railway. There is talk of further developments focussing on "affordable housing" on the south side of the town. While the population might not have truly "exploded", house prices have. North Berwick consistently appears at the top of national house price surveys, and like-for-like prices are comparable to Edinburgh and London. ISLANDS
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