Fort Point

About Fort Point

The Fort was built in 1547 on the orders of the Duke of Somerset, protector of the boy king. Edward VI of England. Throughout the following years it was fought over by the Scots, the French and the English and was a subject of contention during the last war between Scotland and England. It was finally demolished in 1560 in accordance with the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis, when Queen Elizabeth I agreed to refrain from acts of aggression within Scotland.
Two cannon pointing seaward now take pride of place on the Point The cannon are 32 pounders (from the weight of the shot) and were probably cast about 1830; pupils of Eyemouth High School restored the gun carriages in 1966. They were possibly set in their present position in the 1850s as a coastal defence during a ‘French Invasion Scare' when a voluntary battery was established near the tip of the peninsula. During the Second World War, an anti- aircraft battery was set up here. On a clear day, there are stunning views across the bay and the town as well as north to St Abbs Head, which is maintained by the National Trust for Scotland and open to the public.
The cliffs at Fort Point are also home to nesting fulmars and herring gulls. Thrift (sea pink), bird's foot trefoil, sea campion and purple milk vetch all grow on the windswept cliff tops. Common blue and grayling butterflies can be seen here on warm summer days, as well as migrant butterflies such as painted lady and red admiral. Out to sea in summer you may see long lines of gannets flying to or from the Bass Rock at the entrance to the Firth of Forth which is their nearest breeding site.