Holiday rentals in Coldingham

A quiet seaside town just off the coast of the North Sea in Scotland, Coldingham has a history that dates back nearly 1,400 years. While the eye-catching beach and charming coastal village are what draws visitors today, in 635 A.D., a Northumbrian princess created a monastery just outside of what is now the town of Coldingham. Over the years, the abbey, now known as Coldingham Priory, has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, giving it a very rich history, which you can learn about at the priory.

Despite its small population, Coldingham has a charming High Street with small shops and pubs. Close by is Coldingham Bay, where colourful beach huts line the golden coast. With crystal-clear waters that are patrolled by lifeguards during summer, the beach here is sheltered by rocky outcrops at either end, creating a natural barrier from strong waves. From atop a grassy hill called Homeli Knoll, there’s a sweeping view of the ocean. The Berwickshire Coastal Path runs through this area, extending from the English border. The trail is a perfect way to explore romantic ruins, arches, stacks, and cliffs, including those of St Abb’s Head, a National Nature Reserve, and the fishing village of St Abbs.

The best time for a holiday in Coldingham is summer, as July and August have the warmest temperatures and the most sunshine. In August, you can also take a day trip to Edinburgh to experience the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a month-long spectacle at Edinburgh Castle where British Armed Forces, Commonwealth, and International military bands perform.

The weather is cooler in autumn but draws folks for an international storytelling festival, where performers from nearly every continent share tales and music. January and February are the coldest months, but if you can brave the winter weather, you could be rewarded by seeing grey seals raise their pups on the beaches of the St Abbs Head Nature Reserve.

St. Abbs Head Nature Reserve

St. Abbs Head National Nature Reserve is known for scenic cliffside walks, diving, and fishing. Here you’ll have the chance to see thousands of seabirds, such as guillemots, puffins, and razorbills. Off the coast is the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve, which protects the waters from overfishing or scuba diving. A short walk away at Pettico Wick Bay, you can see the pink and purple volcanic lava of the Pettico Wick fault, believed to be millions of years old. In the far distance is an ancient volcano in Edinburg known as Arthur’s Seat.

Coldingham Priory

Coldingham Priory — formerly St Aebbe’s Monastery — has been a site of Christian worship for well over a millennium. In the first thousand years of its existence, the site went through a number of different incarnations. The priory has existed in its current iteration since the 17th century, and it is a peaceful, sobering place to visit.

Coldingham Loch

Coldingham Loch is a freshwater loch between Coldingham Moor and St Abb’s Head that is 274 metres long and is fed by a natural spring. People come here to fish for rainbow, brown, and blue trout. A 15-minute drive away is Ayton Castle, built around a medieval tower house. Most of the construction today is from the 19th century. There are guided tours and stables, and a map is provided for the grounds and Riverside Walk.