Byres Hill sits at the end of a ridge of the Garleton Hills that rises up above the Tyne valley to the north of Haddington. Its most obvious feature is the Hopetoun Monument, which dominates the East Lothian skyline for miles around. A path runs from a small car park at the base of the hill, winding up steeply through the wooded slopes, till it emerges from the trees, passes through a corridor of gorse, and hence to the open hilltop. The short climb is worth it, because the views can be superb: The Firth of Forth and Fife to the North; Edinburgh and the Pentland Hills to the west; and The Lammermuir Hills to the South. On a clear day, it is even possible to glimpse the Cairngorms far away to the North.

Visitor Information
The small car park below Byres Hill is situated 2km north of Haddington. From Haddington, take the A6137 towards Aberlady. After approximately 2km, turn right onto the B1343 towards Athelstaneford. The entrance to the car park is about 100m on the right, at the sharp bend.

Natural History
There has been woodland covering the slopes of Byres Hill for many years. The main evidence for this comes not from the trees themselves, but from the plants growing beneath them. Plants such as enchanter's nightshade, dog's mercury, wood sage and lesser celandine are all found here, and usually only occur in long established woodlands. The woodland holds a good mixture of tree species. The largest of these are the old beech trees, which would have planted here, but there are also specimens of oak, birch, ash, holly, hawthorn, elder, Scots pine and sycamore. There is also a sweet chestnut to the left of the path near the summit, with its characteristic spiral-shaped trunk.

The wood attracts a variety of animal life. Great-spotted woodpeckers have bred here and green woodpeckers are occasionally seen, or more often heard, giving a call reminiscent of a sneering laugh. Look out also for buzzards soaring along the edge of the hills. If you are really lucky you can stand on the hilltop and look down on one as it passes slowly beneath you. And the really observant may spot a dinosaur! Not a real one, but a large brontosaurus painted on a barn door of a nearby farm!