Scottish Facts: The Act of Union beech trees

Scotland is believed to have more '˜heritage trees' - so-called because of their gargantuan size, age or association with cultural or historical events - than any other place on earth.

But arguably the most important set of trees in the nation can be found on the 4.2-mile walk up North Berwick Law in East Lothian, as they were planted in 1707 to commemorate the beginning of the Act of Union between Scotland and England.

The beech trees are the sole survivors of a woodland planted by Sir Hew Dalrymple, the Lord of North Berwick and one of the area’s biggest landowners. Sir Dalrymple was Lord President of the Court of Session and also one of the Scottish Commissioners of the Act of Union, tasked with negotiating the agreement with his English peers.