Image shared for Bass Rock

Bass Rock

112m Elevation
112m Prominence
Scotland Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

Explore routes near Bass Rock

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Cockburnspath to Dunglass Dean and Old Bridge

3.9 km ~2h Moderate

View route

Coldingham Creel Path and St Abbs Bay

5 km ~2h Moderate

View route

St Abbs Head Lighthouse and Pettico Wick

5.9 km ~3h Moderate

View route

St Abbs Circular with seal pups at Horsecastle Bay

3.7 km ~1h Easy

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Bass Rock Coastal Walk

This route begins at North Berwick harbour and offers a scenic coastal walk towards the best vantage point for viewing Bass Rock. Follow the John Muir Way eastward, passing beaches and rocky outcrops. You'll enjoy splendid views of the Firth of Forth and the iconic Bass Rock along the way. The walk ends at Seacliff Beach, where you can explore the ruins of Tantallon Castle nearby.

8 km ~2.5 hours Easy

Bass Rock Boat Trip and Walk

This route combines a boat trip to Bass Rock with a short walk along North Berwick Law. Start from the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, where you can book a boat tour that brings you close to the rock, famous for its gannet colony. After the boat trip, return to North Berwick and ascend North Berwick Law for panoramic views of the coastline and Bass Rock.

3.5 km ~2 hours Moderate

Tantallon Castle to Bass Rock Viewpoint

This route starts at Tantallon Castle, situated east of North Berwick. From here, follow the coastal path toward Seacliff Beach, where you can enjoy uninterrupted views of Bass Rock. The trail offers a mix of grassy paths and sandy beach walking, with plenty of opportunities to spot seabirds along the way.

5 km ~1.5 hours Easy

Dirleton to North Berwick Circular Walk

This circular route starts at the picturesque village of Dirleton, home to a historic castle. Follow the path towards Yellowcraig Beach, where you can see Bass Rock from a distance. Continue along the coastline to North Berwick before looping back inland to Dirleton via quiet country lanes.

12 km ~4 hours Moderate

Bass Rock Wildlife and Coastal Exploration

Begin at the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick and join a guided wildlife tour that provides an in-depth look at the birdlife associated with Bass Rock. After the tour, explore the nearby coastal paths towards Craigleith Island viewpoints and enjoy expansive views of the Firth of Forth.

6 km ~2 hours Easy
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Hump 100-199m hill SIB

Elevation

112m

367 ft

Prominence

112m

Coordinates

56.0781, -2.6401

NT602874

OS Map

67

Explorer: 351E

At the Summit

At the summit, you can find remnants of a 15th-century castle and the iconic lighthouse built in 1902. The views are nothing short of spectacular.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky with steep cliffs and grassy patches.

Bass Rock is a volcanic plug consisting primarily of volcanic ash and basalt, formed during the Miocene epoch. It showcases fascinating geological formations with sheer cliffs and a distinctive flat top.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, you can see the Firth of Forth, the East Lothian coastline, and, on clear days, the distant hills of Fife.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Bass' originates from the Old Norse word 'basker', meaning 'rocky'.

Historical Significance

Historically, Bass Rock has been used as a fortress, a prison, and more recently, a bird sanctuary, making it a site of great cultural and ecological importance.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Parking is available in North Berwick at various public car parks, including on-street parking close to the coastal path.

Public Transport

North Berwick is accessible by train from Edinburgh, with services running frequently.

Nearby Facilities

Cafés and restaurants can be found in North Berwick, offering a range of refreshments. Public toilets are also available in the town.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Balancing on rocky outcrops can be treacherous; watch your step as some areas have steep drops. Also, be cautious of nesting seabirds during breeding season.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Bass Rock?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Bass Rock through the maps

Are there other walkers around Bass Rock?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Bass Rock search or of course create your own walk for Bass Rock

Can I organise a walk to Bass Rock?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Bass Rock.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Bass Rock?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Bass Rock here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: NT602874

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Traprain Law

Traprain Law

221m

 Arthur's Seat

Arthur's Seat

251m

Scald Law

579m

 The Cheviot

The Cheviot

816m

Black Mount

516m
See 5 more nearby hills