Now it would be remiss not to credit the wee toon I now inhabit and the award bestowed, North Berwick the best of British.
Or the woman who brought me here to live among the outlaws and told me I would die here.
The Sunday Times, no less, has put NB top of their list of 72 destinations of best places to live.
The newspaper flags up the way life revolves around the town’s beaches.
As well as the wealth of activities, whatever someone’s age.
You might have heard, of course, NB blow-in Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Tory leader, extolling its virtues on Times Radio.
From the overpriced Herringbone Restaurant where Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links, to give her high-falutin title, held court.
Talking about her town from a private room, well away from the Great Unwashed.
It should be said here that NB has always been popular with retirees.
And it’s not for nothing that the main street is nicknamed ‘The Olden Mile’.
The newspaper also highlighted the thriving independent shops.
As a sign of the positive effect small businesses have on a community.
Train sights on NB
All of which may prick your curiosity to jump on the train from Edinburgh Waverley for the half an hour trip out west.
So what will you find when you get out here?
Well, said beaches and three links golf courses.
North Berwick GC, parallel to The Olden Mile and the West Beach, the Glen and Tantallon.
And the grand Marine Hotel where you can avail of its R&R, G&T (other cocktails are available).
And putt yourself on their front lawn.
While for a more bijou accommodation then No 12 on the aptly-named Quality Street is a buzz of activity.
Around Signals Bistro on account of its rail track and carriages on its skirting board.
Sport your local town
Our nearest watering hole, the Fly Half at the Nether Bay Hotel on the arterial Dirleton Road, is busiest around sports days.
And rugby days when the hosts will serve up warming Scotch pies at half time.
To soak up the ales, and do sample the Augustus Caesar.
A Royal Burgh since 1373 when Robert II granted it the right to levy the king’s customs duties.
With a ‘tron’ for weighing wool and a ‘tronar’ operator.
And it still retains those underlying monarchist affections.
With older residents happy to put out the Union flag bunting (that’s you Royalist Roy) at the drop of a hat.
Muir the merrier
NB is a trekker’s go-to with the John Muir Way running through it.
Up to the relics of Tantallon Castle and down to Dirleton.
Admiring as you go the verdant town centre, dressed for you by our Green-Fingered One and her Britain in Bloom winners.
NB too is a twitchers’ headquarters with the Seabird Centre offering unrivalled views of the Bass Rock.
Which you can go out and visit on boat tour parties.
To see the biggest collection of gannets around on the rock.
Gone fishing
For the gannet in you NB is well-served for restaurants.
And if you like your meal straight out of the sea we would recommend the Rocketeer in front of the Seabird Centre.
While there is also an inviting hut and eating area, the Lobster Shack, down by the old fishermen holds.
Where local artisans set up stall and sell their wares.
Fringe benefits
NB has a timeless quality to it but despite its reputation as a retirement home there is life Jim.
Particularly around Edinburgh Festival time when it puts on Fringe By The Sea.
Where Texas and Sister Sledge have performed in the past.
And this year The Jacksons will rock up.
So don’t blame it on the sunshine, not guaranteed as this is the East of Scotland.
North Berwick the best of British makes up for that in so many other ways.
The annual Sunday Times guide, sponsored by mortgage lender Halifax, also named 10 regional winners.
Including Clerkenwell in London, Abergavenny in Wales and Portstewart in Northern Ireland.
