White Castle Hill Fort, Lammermuir Hills
Short but sweet… This one is not so much of a walk, rather an essential diversion if you happen to be in the area, perhaps whilst en-route to the Whiteadder Reservoir, Nine-Stone-Rig, or Thorter Burn Falls. It is absolutely worth a mention in it’s own right though, as this is where you will find (arguably) the best view in the whole of East Lothian!
White Castle, an unexcavated iron-age hillfort and recognised historical monument, is located on the minor, marginally hair-raising road (think single track, steep inclines, sharp bends- all the fun stuff!) that runs between Garvald and the Whiteadder reservoir, and sits almost at the highest point of the road in a very remote position on the Lammermuir Hills. You can’t really miss it if you look out for the characteristic giant step-like ramparts clearly visible under the grass. There is a 2-3 vehicle parking layby right next to it for access, and a small information board detailing some of the history around the Fort- always worth a read to set the tone before setting off to explore.
The parking Layby
Information board at the layby
There is a gate at the layby with easy access straight on to the Fort but be aware that there were sheep last time we came- they free range over a large area here so I think it will probably just be pot-luck if they are in the vicinity, but I would keep dogs on a lead just to be safe. It is great fun leaping about the Fort (if you enjoy that kind of thing obviously!) The ground is uneven underfoot as you would expect, and my toddler, in between tripping over multiple times, loved spotting the sheep poop and random toadstools (“Not touch the mushrooms, Mummy!”) just as much as he loved scrambling up and down the ramparts, which I imagine are actually quite challenging when you are only the size of a small labrador and just finding your feet! I probably harp on about it all the time, but I really honestly believe that you cannot over-estimate the value of a wide-open space when you have little people in tow; it allows both you and them to experience a sense of freedom that simply cannot be found anywhere else, and this magic is only enhanced in a setting as spectacular as this one!
Making his ascent up the ramparts!
He made it!
It will take an able-bodied walker barely 5 minutes to scramble to the top of the fort, and the views are absolutely worth the brief leg stretch- you can see right out across the rolling heather and bracken-dappled hills, over the tops of pine forest that conceals the elusive Thorter Burn Falls, after which the skyline is punctuated by the ‘sleeping crocodile’ outline of Trapain Law, and further beyond that, the distinctive hump of Berwick Law, then all the way out to sea and our ever-dependable, always memorable Bass Rock… a view that, incredibly, is virtually undisturbed by any signs of human habitation at all. It is a perfect spot for a picnic on a sunny day, and I am certain a competent hill walker could head off in any direction that they fancied and lose themselves for hours amongst the gorse, heather and whins.
And there it is…!
I have been to White Castle Hill Fort a couple of times, the first time alone with my littlest love, and a second to be able to share it with Hubs. Another hidden gem harvested for our collection, and trust me- this one is a diamond!