Burnmouth Circular and Chester Hill Fort

Partly following the Berwickshire Coastal Path go and explore this fantastic section of the Berwickshire Coastline and Chester Hill Fort.

You will pass the sculptured rock formation known as Fancove Head and the row of fishermen’s cottages at Partanhall, couched below a high cliff. It is worth walking the extra distance to look out from Chester Hill Fort.

Safety Note: Chester Hill Fort offers exceptional views across the Borders and Berwickshire. However, this Fort is within a livestock farm therefore always keep your dog under close control. Cattle can act aggressively. Keep yourself and your dog at a safe distance and if necessary let your dog go so that you can both seek safety.

1. From Upper Burnmouth, The First and Last Pub, follow the Coastal path as it makes its way uphill between the school and the community hall. Go up the lane, turning left and then right, along the field edge. Keep along this field. The path is easy to follow, and provides splendid views in both directions. Climbing over a stone stile in the dyke takes you into the secluded Fancove Bay at Blaikie Heugh which is the highest point between Eyemouth and Berwick. Intensely folded, faulted and banded rocks strata formations are very impressive in the sheer cliffs around this Bay.

2. From here, turn inland, leaving the Coastal Path and follow the farm track leading downhill to the public road.

3. Turning left at the public road leads you back into the village of Burnmouth. Walk on the right to see any oncoming traffic. Equally, you may choose to retrace your steps, back along the coastal path to Burnmouth.

Chester Hill Fort Extension:
1a. Leave Burnmouth and carefully cross the A1 carriageway following the single track road leading up hill until you come across a fingerpost at a farm gate on your left pointing to Chester Hill fort up a farm track.

2a. Pass through the gate, following this track up the hill, ignore the first gate on your right and carry on traversing the slope on the track until you pass through another gate.

3a. Forking left and proceeding across the hill to the edge of the slope you will see a great view of the coastline and on the ground grassy circular mounds which are the remains of the hill fort. Chester comes from Old English ceastre, meaning a fortified camp.