Backburn Wood

Wood, Forest in East Lothian

Scotland

Backburn Wood

Green Gates Wood Oak woods along a path between Liberty Hall and Letham Holdings. East Lothian core path no. 110. — Green Gates Wood Credit: Richard Webb

Backburn Wood is a picturesque forest located in East Lothian, Scotland. Covering an area of approximately 50 hectares, it is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike. The wood is situated around 7 miles southeast of Haddington, and is easily accessible by road.

The woodland is predominantly composed of native broadleaf trees, including oak, birch, and beech. These trees create a dense canopy, providing shelter for a variety of wildlife species. Visitors to Backburn Wood can expect to encounter a diverse range of fauna, such as red squirrels, roe deer, and a multitude of bird species.

A network of well-maintained trails winds through the wood, allowing visitors to explore its beauty at their own pace. These paths vary in difficulty, catering to both casual walkers and more experienced hikers. Along the trails, there are several designated picnic areas where visitors can take a break and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

Backburn Wood also holds historical significance, with remnants of ancient settlements and prehistoric sites scattered throughout the area. Archaeological discoveries, including flint tools and pottery fragments, suggest that the wood has been inhabited for thousands of years.

The wood offers breathtaking views, particularly during the autumn season when the leaves change color, creating a vibrant tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows. Whether it be for a peaceful walk, birdwatching, or simply appreciating the beauty of nature, Backburn Wood is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a tranquil escape in East Lothian.

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Backburn Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.952102/-2.8202522 or Grid Reference NT4873. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Green Gates Wood

Oak woods along a path between Liberty Hall and Letham Holdings. East Lothian core path no. 110.

Richard Webb

East Lothian core path no.110

A wide field margin, prone to being muddy, but very dry today.

Richard Webb

Woodland, Letham

Stripwoods, offset at this point. On the path between Letham Holdings and Liberty Hall. (East Lothian core path 110).

Richard Webb

Letham Holdings

Richard Webb

East Lothian core path no.110

Singletrack through a stripwood. The path leads through woodland and along field margins to Liberty Hall.

Richard Webb

Letham Holdings

A large area of land west of Haddington has been used for small holdings. Nowadays there is a fair scattering of trophy homes amongst the small flocks of sheep and gardening enterprise. A house with a bit of land is very attractive to horse owners. This view is of the more traditional land use, the foreground field contains sheep.

Richard Webb

Woodland path, Letham Holdings

A lovely stretch of woodland singletrack. The path runs between Haddington and Liberty Hall via Letham Holdings. East Lothian core path 109.

Richard Webb

Letham Burn

At the end of a stripwood near Letham House.

Richard Webb

East Lothian core path no.109

Lovely piece of singletrack between Haddington and Letham Holdings. The track that crosses it here runs from Letham House to fields.

Richard Webb

Estate road, Clerkington

Richard Webb

Cereals, Clerkington

Arable farming at Clerkington Mains.

Richard Webb

Path, Letham Mains

Path running through a stripwood. East Lothian core path no. 110.

Richard Webb

Old A1

Now replaced by a dual carriageway.

Richard Webb

A long narrow field

A rump field left after the A1 was rebuilt through arable land near Haddington.

Richard Webb

The new dual carriageway A1 looking eastwards. The strip of land between the new and old road is narrow here and is not in production.

Richard Webb

A small wood near Merryhatton

A clump of pines off a road to Huntington.

Richard Webb

The Haddington Branch

The North British Railway upset a lot of people when they chose to ignore Haddington and run some distance to the north of the town. Going north meant easier gradients and missing the high ground around Pencraig. Haddington had to put up with a branch line. There is no doubt that Haddington could support a service to Edinburgh now, but lack of capacity between Longniddry and Edinburgh is probably a problem. The trackbed is now a cycle path.

Richard Webb