📌 Dowlaw, Scottish Borders
★★
Clinging to a vertiginous, rocky headland with just a narrow drawbridge connecting it to the mainland, Fast Castle must have been the ultimate defensive location at the time of its construction during or around the 1300s. Today’s visitor gains access via a (slightly) newer, concrete causeway with a short scramble at the far end aided by rusting chains. Although more extensive than it first appears, the castle itself isn’t that exciting, since much of it has been quarried or collapsed into the sea. The setting is still impressive, with dramatic coastal scenery surrounding the site, including views north towards East Lothian and rock stacks stained white from seabird guano. The walk from the car park involves a steep descent of nearly 200 vertical metres – which has to be reascended on the return journey.
🌍 Location
📌 0.5 mi north of minor road end at Dowlaw
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 861711
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.932177,-2.224119
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park at 🧭 NT 855702 / 🛰️ 55.924619,-2.232944
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
💬 The castle is a 30-min walk (each way) from the car park (⬤ Moderate), with nearly 200 metres of ascent on the way back. Follow a grassy path north (downhill) between trees – this first section can be overgrown in high summer. It soon emerges onto open grassland, curves right and later steepens, with the remains of the castle visible on a headland below. Great care required around the castle, with unprotected drops. There is a rocky step / scramble to get onto the castle headland itself – great care required.
