Skateraw
is an arable farm situated on the Scottish coast, east of Dunbar and
just to the west of Torness nuclear power station. The shoreline has
many interesting
features including layered rock formations on the beach (James Hutton
made many of his geological discoveries a short distance along the coast
at Siccar Point); fossil and other prehistoric remains; special plant
life undisturbed for decades in a dry burn; and a beautifully preserved
limekiln beside the old harbour. The John Muir Trail passes along the
sea’s edge taking you to west of Dunbar. Skateraw is recognised
by birdwatchers as one of the premier sites for migrants in East Lothian
(42 different species have been seen there). The beauty of the landscape
makes it ideal for ‘land art’ projects and ‘site-specific’ artworks.
The whole area around nearby Cockburnspath village has attracted many
famous artists – from Allan Ramsay and Alexander Nasmyth through
to the ‘Glasgow Boys’ and Sir William Gillies. John Muir
and Robert Louis Stevenson also knew the area well. (A Stevenson lighthouse
guards the approaches to Dunbar).
The ‘hear’ of the farm is the wooded hillock on which sits
the elegant farmhouse where the Watson family live.
The A1 is the traditional route into Scotland
from the South, both for travellers and invading armies (eg Cromwell).
After crossing the
border north of Berwick, the road travels inland until it reaches the
coast again at Reed’s Point, just south east of Skateraw. Since
both the A1 and the mainline railway pass through the farm, it is very
strategically placed to make an introduction to Scotland for visitors
from the South. With the recent extension of the dual carriageway (it
ends not far from the farm gate), travel to and from Edinburgh by car
is little more than forty minutes and it takes twenty minutes by rail
to Dunbar Station.