Bass Rock Group Walks | Join a Walk
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Elevation
112m
367 ft
Prominence
112m
Coordinates
56.0781, -2.6401
NT602874
OS Map
67
Explorer: 351E
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.
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.
From the summit, you can see the Firth of Forth, the East Lothian coastline, and, on clear days, the distant hills of Fife.
The name 'Bass' originates from the Old Norse word 'basker', meaning 'rocky'.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Parking is available in North Berwick at various public car parks, including on-street parking close to the coastal path.
North Berwick is accessible by train from Edinburgh, with services running frequently.
Cafés and restaurants can be found in North Berwick, offering a range of refreshments. Public toilets are also available in the town.
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Some common questions about the hills answered
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Bass Rock through the maps
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
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.
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.
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.
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Grid Ref: NT602874
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