EK News Article by Eric Kent:
This week's Duncanrig Ramblers walks were sea walks in Berwickshire and the due to the popularity of this type of walk the bus was fully booked. The alternative walk of 6.53 miles commenced at Haud Yauds which is the name of the rough moorland across from the old Cambus wood on the A1107. This area of moorland was a site of an Iron Age settlement close to the road and there are still indications of the remains of this settlement.  The walk continued out to the site of Fast castle at Fast castle Head on the coast and returned via Redheugh farm and a stiff climb back to the A1107. Fast Castle was built as a keep (stone tower) with a courtyard and a drawbridge over a deep chasm at the edge of the sea cliffs. Due to its wild location and history the castle has a romantic aura it is first mentioned in old documents in 1333 and after a very eventful history it fell into disuse after 1582. The main walk commenced on the road between Coldingham and St Abbs and after a short walk we were soon on the cliffs overlooking the village of St Abbs and its harbour. St. Abbs was originally called Coldingham Shore and prior to any
buildings the fishermen who worked their boats from the beach resided at Fisher's Brae in Coldingham and had to carry their baited lines and other gear the one and a half miles down the Creel Path to the Shore. The first house was built in the middle of the 18th century followed later by a row of 5 houses. The village name was changed to St Abbs at the end of the 19th century. The walk along the cliffs at St Abbs Head which is the best-known landmark on the magnificent Berwickshire coastline was exciting. In spring and early summer the cliffs are at their best with natures fresh growth, this and looking at the breathtaking views of the  sheer cliffs and stacks with their various ledges, nooks and crannies which provide safe nesting sites for the thousands of nesting seabirds enhanced today's walk. Guillemots and Kittiwakes are the most numerous species with a combined population of around forty thousand pairs. Razorbills, Fulmars, Shags and a few Puffins also nest in burrows. These sea birds provide a great wildlife spectacle that can be enjoyed from April to July from several vantage points along this wonderful sea cliff walk. Outside of these months, most of the seabirds are well dispersed throughout the North Sea. The walk continued along the cliffs past the light house complex at St Abbs Head. The St Abbs Head lighthouse, which originally used coal and oil, was built in 1862 and was converted to electric operation in 1966. Up until automation in 1994, the lighthouse was manned by three full-time keepers who grew fresh food in a sheltered walled garden which lies to the west of the lighthouse sheltered from the sea. As we continued round the coast line we passed Coldingham loch which is largely man made, but not recently. It was originally stocked as a source of food for Coldingham Priory which dates back as far as 635 AD. When the monks built the fishery is not exactly known, but it remains lush and very beautiful place for a day's fishing. The Priory survived up to the Scottish Reformation in 1560. After some tough walking we had lunch close to the second measured mile marker on the cliffs at St Abbs. This marker similar to ones in the Clyde measured the performance of ships built at the shipyard in Leith and also at Berwick on Tweed before they closed down. After lunch we continued on along the cliffs marvelling at the rock scenery and close to Hurker reef we cut away from the cliffs towards Dowlaw farm and cottages which had a reputation for being involved in smuggling in times past. From the farm we moved down to the coast again and followed the now diminishing cliffs along a sometimes vague track heading towards to Redheugh farm. On this stretch of the coastline we could see as far as the Bass Rock and the views along this stretch of the coastline were greatly admired. The Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European marine site starts here. The underwater site is so stunning and diverse that it attracts divers and visitors from all over Europe to this outstanding range of coastal and marine life. The site encompasses 115km of some of the most rugged and scenic coastline in the UK. It stretches from Fast Castle Head in south east Scotland, to Alnmouth in North East England and includes the Farne Islands, covering nearly 650 square kilometres of shore and sea.  At Redheugh farm we admired a herd of enormous bulls that were I am glad to say looked quiet and contented in their field. From the Farm we had quite a punishing climb up to the main A1107 road and everyone was glad to get back to the bus after this exciting but strenuous walk. Flora spotted today by both walks included Ragged Robin, Thrift or Sea Pink, Sea Campion, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Red Poppies, Michaelmas Daisies and Scot's Lovage (not in flower).  The social hour was enjoyed by all at Haddington in East Lothian.