North Berwick

Seaside resort and former royal burgh in East Lothian unitary authority, Scotland, 36 km/23 mi northeast of Edinburgh; population (2001) 6,200. The town was originally a fishing port, but tourism has now expanded around the harbour, beach, and golf course facilities. To the south, North Berwick Law, a volcanic plug, rises to a height of 187 m/614 ft.

Its status as a royal burgh, now honorary, was created at the end of the 14th century by Robert III of Scotland. Local historical sites, now in ruins, include a Cistercian convent founded by David I, a pre-Reformation church on the harbour, and the 14th-century Tantallon Castle, a former clan Douglas fortress, lying 5 km/3 mi east of the town. Dirleton Castle, built in the 13th century, stands 3 km/2 mi to the southwest.