Thornton Glen

This steep, narrow gorge is lined with a broadleaved woodland of ash, elm and oak, and a ground flora of ramson and ferns. A path along the edge of the reserve leads to the ruins of Innerwick Castle.

Why visit?

Highlights include:

  • Woodland flowers
  • Breeding woodland birds

Best time to visit?

  • Apr to Jul for dragonflies

Visit for:

  • birdwatching
  • woodlands
  • wildflowers
  • archaeology

Other information

Facilities

Hover for more information

VISITING THE RESERVE

How to get there

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.

Get directions

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.

Access restrictions

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.

Nearest town
Dunbar (5 mi / 8 km)
OS grid ref
NT735741
Landranger map
67

FURTHER READING

About Thornton Glen

Out & about

Nearby reserves
Woodhall Dean
Brock Wood

Local group
Lothians

Links & downloads

Reserve map

iSpot

Stay up to date with the Scottish Wildlife Trust by subscribing to our mailing list Subscribe now

Back to top