Thornton Glen

Situated five miles south-east of Dunbar, Thornton Glen is a steep, narrow gorge with broadleaved woodland overlooked by the ruined Innerwick Castle. The woodland includes ash, elm and oak, with a ground flora of ramsons (wild garlic) and ferns.

Why visit?

Woodland flowers
Breeding woodland birds

Best time to visit?

Apr to Jul

Visit for:

Archaeology
Wildflowers
Woodlands
Birdwatching

Directions

Take the A1 south from Edinburgh to Dunbar. Once you get beyond the town and pass Torness power station, take the right turn signposted to Crowhill and Innerwick. Cross the bridge over the railway, and about 0.3 miles further on it is possible to park in the steading at Crowhill on the right.

Getting onto the reserve

From the steading, walk west along the road. Just past the cottages on the left, there is a stile (in a wall) into the reserve. A path leads from the stile along the edge of the wildlife reserve to the ruins of Innerwick Castle.

Getting round this reserve

There is only one maintained path from the access stile to Innerwick Castle. Care must be taken if walking off paths as Thornton Glen is very steep, rocky and wet in places.