St Abbs and Eyemouth
-> Scotland
-> Scottish Borders
-> St Abbs and EyemouthSt. Abbs Area
St. Abbs is an attractive small fishing village on a rugged part of the east coast, north of Berwick-upon-Tweed off the A1107. The harbour nestles in the lee of steep cliffs north of Coldingham Bay and offers a wide range of activities for visitors, such as sea-angling, sub-aqua diving, bird-watching and boat trips. The water around St. Abbs is part of the St. Abbs & Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve which offers exceptional diving conditions with visibility between seven and 24 metres and is home to grey seals, porpoises and other marine life. There is a Dive Centre in St. Abbs and a Dive Shop at Coldingham Sands which provide advice and sell/rent equipment. The area also attracts many birdwatchers and walkers to the 200-acre St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve, home to many guillemots, kittiwakes, herring gulls, fulmars, razorbills and puffins. There is also a gallery, visitor centre and tearoom. Coldingham Bay has a sandy beach and is popular with families and surfers. Eating places include the Dunlaverock House Hotel at Coldingham Bay.
Eyemouth Area
The fishing village of Eyemouth is south of St. Abbs on the A1107 and about eight miles north of Berwick-upon-Tweed. It is not a particularly attractive village but hosts three fishing events: the Herring Queen Festival in July; the Seafood Festival during one weekend in June; and the Lifeboat Gala in August. There are a number of local walks, the most scenic being the 4-mile walk along the clifftops to Burnmouth. The Eyemouth Museum provides information about its fishing history including the storm in 1881 which destroyed the fishing fleet killing 129 local fishermen. Gunsgreen House is another example of Adam architecture and was previously used by smugglers with escape tunnels to the town. It is now the clubhouse for the Eyemouth golf course. Eyemouth Diving Centre rents equipment and boats, and provides diving tuition. There is a swimming pool in Eyemouth Leisure Centre.
The Eyemouth library on Manse Road is open Monday to Friday.
Eight miles south of Eyemouth and west of Berwick-upon-Tweed, on the B6461, is Paxton House set in 32 hectares of parkland, woodland and gardens (designed by Capability Brown) with a salmon fishing museum. It was designed by the Adam family and is considered to be one of the finest 18th century Palladian houses in Britain, with a fine collection of Chippendale and regency furniture, and Picture Gallery where the National Gallery of Scotland displays some of its collection.
|
back