Walk: Thornton Glen’s secret castle

📌 Innerwick, East Lothian
★★★

Thornton Glen is the steep-sided gorge through which the Thornton Burn flows, shortly before meeting the sea at Thorntonloch Beach. The valley is designated a nature reserve due to its rich flora and fauna, with broadleaved woodland, dense carpets of wild garlic and plentiful bird life. Perhaps the most exciting part of this short circuit, however, is of human construction. Innerwick Castle was built in the 15th or 16th century on a sandstone bluff overlooking the ravine. Signs now advise visitors to keep out, but if you do venture (carefully) beyond the warnings you’ll discover a fascinating ruin where nature and brickwork have intertwined, with a miniature maze of hidden chambers, passageways and viewpoints.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish on minor road at Crowhill, 1 mi east of Innerwick

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 736741

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.958958,-2.423824

🚌 Bus to Crowhill

🚗 Street parking

📝 Key info

▶ 1 km / <1 mi | ▲ 30 m | ⌛ 45 min

Features: 🌳 Thornton Glen; 🏰 Innerwick Castle ★★

⬤ Easy | Narrow paths, some mud. Lower return route can be overgrown in summer, with steep ground requiring care. Unprotected drops & unstable masonry if you explore the castle.

➡️ Anticlockwise circuit with detours to castle & up Thornton Burn: start – entrance to Thornton Glen to west – Innerwick Castle via upper path – return to start via lower path, with short detour south along Thornton Burn. Reserve map 🔗 here

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Roe deer crashing about by the burn, woodland birds, speckled wood butterflies, caterpillars hanging from threads. Bluebells, amazing swathes of wild garlic.

Weather: Sunny intervals, temperature in mid teens.

May 2023

Innerwick Castle ★★