Fast Castle Walk

1 miles (1.3 km)

This walk visits the splendidly positioned Fast Castle on the Scottish Borders coast.
There is a car park at Dowlaw where you can start your walk. From here you can pick up a path which steeply descends to the cliff top and the castle.
The ruined structure dates back to the 1300s and is located on a rocky headland overlooking the sea. Here you can explore the fascinating ruins and enjoy some glorious views along the coast. Keep your eyes peeled for birds such as Shag and Cormorant on the rocks below.
The castle is located just west of St Abbs Head Nature Reserve. The reserve is a great place to extend your walk with lots of sea birds and more fine coastal trails to try. You can reach the site by picking up the Berwickshire Coastal Path at the car park and following it east for a few miles.

Fast Castle Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Fast Castle Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Fast Castle OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Fast Castle Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

In nearby St Abbs village there's Ebbcarrs Cafe for some refreshments. You can sit outside here and enjoy a view over the harbour with your meal. You can find them at postcode TD14 5PW.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Eyemouth to St Abbs Walk will take you along the coast path to the headland from the nearby town. Eyemouth is well worth a visit, with its picturesque harbour and the historic Gunsgreen House to see.
Head inland and there's some pleasant waterside trails along Whiteadder Reservoir in the Lammermuir Hills of East Lothian.
The Coldingham Bay to St Abbs and Coldingham Loch Walk will take you on to the pretty Coldingham Loch and into the village of the same name.