The Sisters

Island in East Lothian

Scotland

The Sisters

Milsey Bay Bass Rock can be seen in the distance to the east. — Milsey Bay Credit: Gary Rogers

The Sisters, East Lothian, also known as The Islands, is a small group of uninhabited islands located off the coast of East Lothian, Scotland. Comprising of three islands, the largest being the North Sister, followed by the Middle Sister and the smallest is the South Sister. These islands are situated approximately 2 miles southeast of the town of North Berwick.

The Sisters are renowned for their stunning natural beauty and are home to a variety of wildlife. The rugged cliffs provide nesting sites for numerous seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. These islands are also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to their rich marine life and geological features.

Access to The Sisters is limited and can only be reached by boat. They are a popular destination for birdwatchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers. However, landing on the islands is prohibited to protect the fragile ecosystem and nesting birds.

The Sisters are steeped in history, with traces of human habitation dating back to the Iron Age. Ruins of a chapel dedicated to St. Baldred, a 7th-century hermit, can be found on the North Sister. The islands played a strategic role during the Anglo-French wars, with a battery and gun emplacement built during the 19th century.

Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of The Sisters from the coastal paths of North Berwick, or opt for boat tours that provide a closer look at the islands and their wildlife. The Sisters, East Lothian, offer a unique and picturesque experience for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

The Sisters Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.062359/-2.7145738 or Grid Reference NT5585. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Milsey Bay

Bass Rock can be seen in the distance to the east.

Gary Rogers

Golf, Rugged Knowes.

Its East Lothian, so a golf course in not far away, in this case it is The Glen. Bass Rock beyond.

Richard Webb

Beach, North Berwick.

Taken from The Seabird Centre, one of North Berwick's beaches and The Law.

Richard Webb

North Berwick Law

'Summit' of North Berwick Law with whale jawbone (removed in 2005). There has been a jawbone on the Law for approx 300 years until now. The building is an old watch house dating back to the Napoleonic Wars.

Craig J Seath

Summit of North Berwick Law

These Jawbones were for many years a prominent feature of the summit but I believe they have recently fallen over and are awaiting being put back in place. The summit also has buildings dating from the second world war when the hill was a lookout for boats on the Firth of Forth and also the remains of an old fort. The view is north over the town of North Berwick to the island of Craigleith.

Kevin Rae

West Links.

With Craigleith offshore.

Richard Webb

Carlekemp.

Big house across the West Links. Formerly the preparatory school for St Augustus Abbey.

Richard Webb

Golf Hotel, North Berwick

Amongst a lot of big houses on the road into North Berwick from the west.

Richard Webb

New houses, North Berwick.

North Berwick, with its surviving railway link is one of the most expensive places to live in Scotland.

Richard Webb

North Berwick

The railway station, with a frequent service to Edinburgh. There have been many attempts at closure, but now ex intercity trains are sometimes used because of the number of passengers.

Richard Webb

Large house, North Berwick.

A lot of Edinburgh money headed this way about 100 years ago, thanks to the railway. There are many houses like this one.

Richard Webb

Gilsland.

Part of an enormous caravan site on the edge of North Berwick.

Richard Webb

Sea rocks & raised beach

Just east of North Berwick with views of the Bass Rock to the east. The rocks are volcanic, shaped by the waves from the North Sea. In the background is a raised beach, which appears round the Scottish Coast. A golf course is on the top.

Alastair Seagroatt

N Berwick Law Quarry

The gorse in full bloom & smell - gorgeous. The former Quarry below N Berwick Law has been partially filled & is now a venue for climbers, with some hard overhanging climbs (plus some easier ones). A volcanic plug shaped by glacial action

Alastair Seagroatt

Factory, Heugh Road.

Trad sawtoothed factory architecture on the edge of not very industrial North Berwick.

Richard Webb

Holediggery, North Berwick.

Looking west along a dug up passage on the edge of town.

Richard Webb

Craigleith

These are a couple of islands in the Firth of Forth. Craigleith is the near one with the Bass Rock further away. Picture taken from Yellowcraigs. The islands are volcanic plugs, with the Bass Rock being the biggest gannetry in Europe.

Alastair Seagroatt

The Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick

This photo was taken on the day the centre was opened by Prince Charles. The centre has become a far bigger success than anyone could ever have expected then.

Kevin Rae

Show me another place!

The Sisters is located at Grid Ref: NT5585 (Lat: 56.062359, Lng: -2.7145738)

Unitary Authority: East Lothian

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders