What Is This WHALEBONE ARCH Doing on North Berwick Law? | Painting Brambles in Watercolour | Ep30

Hello & welcome along on this walk! If you're new here - my name is Sarah and each week I head out on a walk with my faithful companion Jack Spaniels, to explore somewhere in this beautiful country of Scotland and hopefully find something to paint back in my studio at home.
Today we are climbing North Berwick Law - a small but striking hill that dominates the landscape for miles around. It stands above the seaside town of North Berwick - voted the best place to live in Scotland in 2021!
We escape the Scottish heatwave by climbing the hill in the evening sunshine and explore the historic structures on the summit of the hill - a Napoleonic signal station, a 300 year old whalebone arch and a WW2 bunker. Plus we get gorgeous panoramic views from the top - the perfect backdrop for Jack to strike a pose in front of...
The summer flowers have mostly gone over to seed now, but there's plenty of signs of life to photograph and paint. As the summer starts to wane, hedgerows are coming alive with signs of autumn and berries are ripening. The varied colours of the bramble as it ripens were the perfect choice for a painting.
If you enjoyed this video and you haven't already, please check out my other videos - including the three special Skye episodes, where we explore some incredible Scottish scenery. Join me again next week as we explore somewhere else in Scotland and look for painting inspiration...
SHE WALKS:
Distance Walked: 2.7m / 4.3km
My Gear:
Asics Trainers
Lowe Alpine 'Aeon' 25L rucksack
Snacks - Bostock Bakery, North Berwick
SHE PAINTS:
Total Painting Time: approx 14 hours
Materials Used:
Arches Watercolour Paper
Windsor& Newton 'Cotman' brushes in sizes 00
Dyffle Watercolour Pens
Check out my Etsy store for fine art prints of all my paintings!
Link below:
www.etsy.com/u...
You can find me on Instagram for more walking and painting updates - @SheWalksShePaints
/ shewalksshepaints
If you like what I do and feel like contributing to my coffee & cake habit, I also have a Ko-Fi page:
ko-fi.com/shew...
I am part of the team at Scottish history & treasure hunting channel - 'Dirty Secrets of Scotland' along with my partner, Willie. If you liked this video - head across and check out what we do there too :)
/ @dirtysecretsofscotland

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you for watching!! If you want to support my channel, here are the links: My Etsy Store: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SheWalksShePaints My Ko-Fi page: ko-fi.com/shewalksshepaints Follow me on Instagram: @SheWalksShePaints instagram.com/shewalksshepaints/

[@richardcampbell5784]

A whale of a time! But on a Saturday I thought at first I'd drunk far too much on Friday to sleep through Saturday. 😁

[@shewalksshepaints]

Ahahaha sorry about that! I got a wee bit ahead of myself with scheduling 🤦‍♀️

[@tinaredington1292]

Awww once again you have shown how awesome Scotland is. When the countryside is parched like that it looks exactly like Southern Oregon, except our mountains are much higher. Hehe. We also have the brambles and elder trees. Both make very good wine! Jack is still being Jack, gotta love a good pup. The painting is almost good enough to eat! Thank you, Sarah, Willie and Jack. 🥰❤️

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Tina!! Jack was so good on this walk - he loved it 😊 We got lots of rain this week thank goodness, so hopefully we get the green back soon!

[@Carolbearce]

This was an amazing place you visited! Jack sure did enjoy himself! You did an amazing painting with the berries. Very lifelike, you want to reach in and pick one.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Carol! Jack had a brilliant time - he never wants to get back in the car again when we are finished 😂

[@fairyacorn4854]

Thank you for a lovely scenic walk and the painting is amazing as usual. It makes you want to reach out and pick one. Like the way |Jack is ahead showing you the way.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you! So glad you liked it 😊

[@stevenglass8770]

What a treat to have a video a day early! I don't know how you keep finding ever more beautiful scenery - this one will be hard to beat. Happy belated birthday, Sarah.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Steven! I may have accidentally scheduled my video to come out a day early this week…oops! Should be back to normal next week 😊

[@richardserridge2767]

Putting us all to shame with your painting skills again! Great walk and a wonderful place.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Aww thanks Richard! I was super happy with how this one turned out 😊

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

Happy Birthday. My son's birthday was Aug. 15th, he turned 48 years old. The blackberries have long been finished here. The birds made a mess with them, as they do every year. I always hated picking blackberry; because, it was hot work in the sun, I would get cuts from the thorns, I would get bitten and stung, I had to keep an eye out for snakes, I always got ticks and chiggers on me, and I could never pick enough to please my mother. You have such beautiful views everywhere you take us. Jack always has a wonderful time. Jack is such a good boy. Your painting is beautiful. Two of those berries look ready to pick. Thank you for this video.

[@Kazza_8240]

Oh your berry picking description struck a chord with me, I used to think it would be a lovely day out, picking brambles into a bucket with my cousins for my gran to make jam out of, and a picnic, but those thorns and the pesky midgies on a hot day soon made it feel like hard work 😂

[@shewalksshepaints]

Ahhh yes picking them was always a difficult task! I was the smallest one in the family so would always be asked to pick raspberries, brambles and gooseberries…but I hated the thorns and all the bugs 😫

[@Justjen84]

Oh joy! Early posting 😁 thank you x

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed. 😊

[@karenk380]

Very impressive topography. Flat, flat, flat. Huge rock. Flat. How interesting to have a whale bone on top!🤔👍 The painting is fantastic. Always amazing to see how the details really make the subject go from flat to three dimensional and superb. Lovely. Thanks for sharing.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Karen! Yes the landscape is very distinctive here - you can see the hill all the way from Fife (in fact it is in the distance in a few of my other videos!)

[@colleenmccarthy-evans3149]

So lovely...the scenery, the history, Jack's constantly wagging tail, and for dessert, beautiful juicy BERRIES! ❤

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Colleen!!

[@iansuehooper7542]

Beautiful surroundings and the perfect day for a walk, especially after a birthday celebration. Sarah, may you have many more enjoyable birthdays in the future. The berry painting was superb.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you!!

[@pennykaiser6667]

What a pleasant surprise it was to see you had a video on a Saturday. Jack is certainly living his best life. He’s so much fun! Happy birthday Sarah❣️

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Penny! Yes, I got a wee bit ahead of myself with this video and posted a bit early 🤦‍♀️ back to normal this week 😊

[@user-hq4gu1jb3n]

What a great video! By far the best I've seen with North Berwick. I've climbed the Law a few times, but never when it was that dry. And to have an art class too. Just wonderful!

[@80sunshine21]

Rugged walk but beautiful views. Delicious berries in your painting. Thanks! Suzy

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Suzy! So glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@lemfam4693]

I loved this painting. When you started to add the darker color to the berries, it looked like they were sitting there on top of the paper. They just popped right off the page! It has inspired me to plant some blackberries in my back yard for the birds. We also have a blueberry bush for the birds. I love watching them enjoy the berries. I'm glad you had a happy birthday. My daughter's birthday is the 20th of August, so I will remember. 😁🎂

[@teeteepalooza]

the whale bone blew my mind!

[@guadalupeknippen528]

Another lovely 🎨 painting 🖌️ you have captured the berries magnificently. They do pop off the page with their shine. Greetings from Arizona, USA. 🌻🐕🇺🇸

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you Guadalupe 😊

[@catepearce2138]

Hi, what a delight to have your video pop up a day early, a treat for a Sunday, yeah. Another wonderful hike in good company and an exquisite painting that is truly good enough to eat. Thank you and have a great week, hopefully with rain on the horizon. xx

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you Cate! I’ll be back to normal posting next week (just got a wee bit ahead of myself with this video haha!)

[@jeannienash5249]

Always wonderful to see your water colours Sarah!❤

[@eleanorlaurent2303]

I closed my eyes during the intro...and I guessed right! I knew all the colors and detail would draw you in :-)

[@shewalksshepaints]

Ahh I knew you would be able to guess 😊

[@oges74]

Thank you for showing us around beautiful Scotland. The scenery, the filming and the way you tell of the locations history makes it all really special

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Brett 😊

[@phylliscook5594]

What fun, a video a day early. Love the walk, Jack and of course your beautiful painting

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you Phyllis!

[@sharimullinax3206]

I love seeing Jack playing in the waves! And leading the way! He is a great walking companion. He would also make a good subject for a painting. Your painting shows the ripening of the berries. Yum!

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Shari! One day I’ll get the perfect photo for a painting of Jack…

[@joanncarlberg6372]

Loved the walk. Sarah I received my print this week of the beautiful Culloden Thistle. I will be taking it to get a proper frame for it. Thank you. Tell next week.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Aww so glad to hear that Joann 😊

[@kathya9522]

What a beautiful view! The different colors of the blackberries in your painting were gorgeous. I think the blackberry is my favorite berry, though all are tasty. I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Sarah.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Kathy! I had a great birthday 😊

[@christhompson4270]

Beautiful walk, love the history of the whale bones but I don’t think I’ve seen Scotland so brown, it looks like Australia in summer brown everywhere. Sarah your painting captured the brambles perfectly it’s awesome. Take care and thank you for sharing 👍👏❤️

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Chris! Yes, it is very strange seeing Scotland this brown and dry. Much prefer it all green and rainy haha!!

[@linzertube]

I wondered why North Berwick Law felt so familiar, and it was because, just 11 days ago, another KZbinr I follow walked this path with his cat, Nala. His name is Dean, and his channel is 1Bike1World. Still, it was great to see it through the eyes of another person. It’s such a spectacular view, and an interesting site, historically. Your painting’s subject was a lovely one…and your final work looked like it was plucked off the branch at that moment. I loved the berry that went from blushing pink to pale green. It was beautifully blended through the berry’s colours. And, each ripe berry looked good enough to eat.👏🤩

[@shewalksshepaints]

Ah that’s cool! It’s getting my famous haha! It’s a good thing Nala wasn’t there at the same time as us though - Jack would have chased her around the hill 😅

[@dawnhaynes7784]

Love the video and the scenery plus the history thanks for sharing

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Dawn! So glad you liked it 😊

[@kristinhaislett9365]

Jack the mountain climber! Great video Sarah. Thank you. Enjoyed the history of your walk and the folklore of the Blackberries. Beautiful painting. You captured the berries perfectly. And happy belated birthday!

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Kristin! Yup, Jack is always many steps ahead of me, but especially on the hills!

[@jaclynstewartoclair208]

Really enjoyed this video. Your painting looks so real. Give Jack hugs for me.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you Jaclyn! Jack is getting lots of hugs from you tonight 😊

[@annwagner5779]

Such a beautiful walk - and painting! I’m glad you had a happy birthday! Next one on Skye!

[@sallya.2412]

Love the scenery out there. I hope you guys get some rain soon. Been hot over here in Hawaii, was 90 degrees Fahrenheit today. That is amazing to see the big whale arch bone. Oh, happy birthday Sarah! 🎂 I did not know. Your berry painting looks so real. Ready to eat right off the page. Thank you for another great video.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Sally!! We did get some rain very soon after this was filmed, thank goodness. We really needed it 😊

[@gerdriechers8426]

Great video! Willie, you are rapidly improving the framing and cut. It is allways amazing to watch the painting as a process. Starts with a few sketches and suddenly the fruit pops out. With the last tiny strokes ever so delicat the whole drawing comes to life. Thank you.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Gerd!

[@cliffordatkinson8683]

Love your walks and history and your talent always amazes me

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you so much Clifford!

[@adamssecretgarden]

wonderful video and painting Sarah x

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Sue! Glad you could join me a day earlier than usual (accidentally scheduled it for the wrong day haha! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️)

[@adamssecretgarden]

@@shewalksshepaints hehe i dont mind at all... hehe.

[@gypsycatharina]

Het was weer een prachtige wandeling! De bramen zien er uit om zo te plukken ! Liefs van RINI. Xox

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you Rini!!

[@FLSueL]

What a surprise to have your video up a day early. Did I miss an announcement? Is this the new day? Either way I'll still be watching. 😉 That looked like a pretty steep walk this time, I was out of breath! What a view though! The whale bone history bit was very interesting; I'm really glad they kept up the tradition, even if it a replica now. Jack looked so cute all wet and covered in sand. I don't know what kind of stick it was that he found this time but it looked like he found his own whale bone. 🤭 The blackberries came out so good and so realistic they looked as though you could eat them. Thanks for taking us along on your adventure, I loved it. ☺

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you!! And no you didn’t miss any announcements, I accidentally scheduled my video a day early 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️So back to normal next week I promise!

[@ceceliakeown5653]

FL Suel thanks for the laugh..you were out of breath it was so steep. Funny

[@marydegenkolb9603]

I just figured out that Jack Spaniel is not a water spaniel, but a dogfish. We have a spot here in North Georgia called Lookout Mountain. From that hill top, you can see several states. It too was a desired hill during our Civil War. But it pales in comparison to that Law. And can you imagine the size of the whale that replica was made from? So beautiful. Thank you for again, taking us along. The blackberries did not do well here this year. Ours show in the spring and early summer. But with the heat here well over 100 degrees F, they dried up in only a couple of days. But again, these look so real and I see the reflection of the red ones on the black ripe ones. Amazing.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Mary! Haha yeah, he definitely seems to be part fish whenever water is nearby 🤣 Maybe he’s a mer-dog?!

[@bonnerdebbie]

Lovely surprise to find your video up. Here in NE Florida US I picked blackberries (wild) from my wildflower garden bed all thru April, then cut them back almost to the ground so that my dog ( A Yorkie who needs a haircut) doesn't get tangled in them and they tend to fruit better for me. I hurt thinking of the thorns on those huge brambles, I get enough from mine. Awesome scenery as always, thanks Sarah, Willie and Jack. Are you going to be posting on Saturdays now?

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Debbie! Glad that you enjoyed it 😊 No changes to the normal schedule - I just accidentally set my video to come out a day early…oops! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@elizabethchevalier7740]

Happy belated birthday Sarah!

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you Elizabeth!! 😊

[@janvafa9959]

Oohhh elderberries! You could forage some and make some elderberry wine!

[@shewalksshepaints]

Indeed! Never made it before but I have tried some - reminded me a bit of port 😊

[@59tante]

Amazing

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you Laura!

[@SherryAustinMcginley]

Beautiful place and painting!

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thank you Sherry!

[@teeteepalooza]

Willie: have you ever eaten something you’ve painted before? me: just Dave 😳

[@amandabell8827]

I love seeing the blackberries ripening, it means jam and pies and crumbles, yummy! Also it means Autumn is coming which is my favourite season. Your painting is beautiful, I feel like I could pick the berries right off the paper! 😀💗 x (Eating a Chaffinch 😂)

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Amanda! Yeah I love the first signs of autumn too, although I love summer too! Already got my fleece and bobble hat ready for the cooler weather 😂

[@tammaragill9347]

You threw me off posting on my Saturday lol. WOW what an AH-MAZING painting. Those berries look SO realistic as if I could reach out and pop one in my mouth. Would it be possible to include in your videos how long it took to paint the subject you've chosen? I know I ALWAYS wonder. TY in advance 😊

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Tammara! And yes, sorry about that. Got a wee bit ahead of myself with scheduling this video 🤦‍♀️ I always put how long my paintings took in the video description, as well as how far I walked. But, I can start putting that in the videos from now n 😊

[@Kazza_8240]

Thank you for another beautiful walk and painting, that whalebone arch was so big! I think I'd get disoriented looking up at it lol. Your brambles were gorgeous, they always remind me of being a wee girl and picking them for my gran to make jam from 😋 she called it 'bramble jeely', like Oor Wullie (the cartoon, not *Willie* lol), he loved a 'jeely piece'.....and so do I 😂🤗

[@shewalksshepaints]

Aww thank you! So glad I could bring back some lovely memories 😊

[@BMW7series251]

Fantastic video as usual Sarah. Been to North Berwick quite a few times and love it there. Best wishes, John. (never walked up the ''Tump'')! PS: Lovely painting indeed.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks John! I’ve been nice before but not up the Law, so I really wanted to do it. Think we had the perfect evening for it 😊

[@dbaldock9]

...still waiting for painting(s) of Jack Spaniels... 😁

[@shewalksshepaints]

Oh I’m sure it will come. I’m waiting for the perfect photo (maybe in the winter when there’s less stuff around to photograph…🤔)

[@dbaldock9]

@@shewalksshepaints - Something like "Jack - The Skiing Spaniel"? 😉 In the meantime, can you ship your prints rolled-up in a sturdy mailing tube, so they will survive the journey to Houston, TX?

[@ello_m8_734]

Oh hey i live there

[@ello_m8_734]

My grandparents watched the original whalebone being placed on the law

[@shewalksshepaints]

Ah so cool!!

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thanks.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Thanks Anna!

[@arleenchamberlin4921]

I also don't know how to get back to it so I can reread it

[@AlexSturrock]

It's NORTH BERWICK LAW. NOT BERWICK LAW, Berwick is across the border 40 miles away,

[@shewalksshepaints]

And that’s what I called it..? 😅

[@user-hq4gu1jb3n]

Not sure about that. I've heard both, but far more often it's just been called "The Law".

[@arleenchamberlin4921]

I entered to win your calendar and I received a text from you I'm not sure what it meant.

[@shewalksshepaints]

Hi Arleen! You won’t receive any text or emails from me about this giveaway. I think there was a scammer trying to contact people commenting on this video, so please ignore any contact like that. They have been blocked & reported to KZbin already. Sarah x

[@justwhaleseals]

whales

[@teeteepalooza]

Willie: have you ever eaten something you’ve painted before? me: just Dave 😳

[@Kazza_8240]

Nooooooooo! Not Dave!!!

[@shewalksshepaints]

Haha! Never Dave 😱😱😱