golden
Yellowcraig to Eyebroughy, 1 March
This was the first Saturday of a new month, and a different Saturday for me as I had not one but two walks at Yellowcraig. In the morning, I met a friend I hadn’t seen for just over a year, and we drove down the coast, arriving at Yellowcraig below gloomy skies to walk along the shore at high tide. It was a walk filled with good conversation, and we were with two special pups: my friend’s girl Madam, and a wirehaired dachshund called Doolan who I’d first met with Harris in the summer of 2023. I’m planning to meet up with Doolan again with Raf, to see how they get on, but this Saturday wasn't the time for that introduction as I knew Yellowcraig would be busy on a Saturday lunchtime, with lots of families and many dogs out enjoying their weekend adventures.
After my friend left to head back to Edinburgh, I met up with Richard and Raf, and we had a long walk that began at Yellowcraig, heading towards Eyebroughy and then on along the dunes. In that brief period between ending one walk and beginning another, the weather had shifted to blue skies and sparkling sunshine.
Rather than pausing at Eyebroughy beach, as we usually do, we headed on along the shore, striding out into the sunshine, relishing the quiet along this stretch of the walk. We did stop at the little driftwood shelter that’s tucked behind the dunes, a spot that’s easy to miss. I’ve been meaning to leave two pebbles here in memory of the lads, as we used to pause here together. I keep saying, “Next time we do this walk…” and then only remember this as we pass. So, next time we do this walk..
There was this moment as the sun was setting, and the light was just glowing across the grasses. It was remarkable, and it felt so hopeful as we closed one wintry month and welcomed a new month that held the hope of spring. We wound our way down through the dunes to this beach below, walking back as the orange glow faded and the clouds were brushed with the softest pink, the light illuminating the subtle tones in the rocks along the shoreline.
Can you see a face in the rock above? I didn't when I took this photo, but when I shared this one on Instagram stories, a friend messaged to say that she saw a face in profile, and as soon as I read her message I also saw ‘him’, his head slightly turned away as if in conversation. A favourite rock formation thanks to its incredible tones and textures, and now with an added dimension.
Walking back to Yellowcraig, we paused at Eyebroughy beach in this soft light, the sea calm with barely a breeze, and with no one around. I’m already thinking of spring evenings when we can pack a picnic and come here, perching on the logs below, simply enjoying this view and this calm. On one hand, I’ve been loosely planning some trips away - looking at Argyll on the west coast and also Banffshire - but there are bills, bills, bills, and this is enough for now, after all those winter evenings spent indoors: to be here, listening to the waves, with this view towards Fidra, watching the light fade.
Yellowcraig towards Gullane, East Lothian, 1 March 2025.
#yellowcraig #fidra #eyebroughy #eastlothian #coast #scotland
