East Lothian Destination Guide

Explore / United Kingdom / East Lothian
Explore East Lothian Beaches and Coast

East Lothian is in Scotland and is on the border of Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders and Midlothian. This area is also known as the 'Garden of Scotland' and is said to be the sunniest area of Scotland.

This county has over forty miles of stunning coastline with long, golden beaches, towering cliffs and gentle countryside. Combine that with popular tourist attractions that win awards and the best links golf courses and you have the most superb spot for a perfect holiday! There are wonderful places to explore like Tantallon Castle - a fortress clinging to the cliffs - or the quaint villages where art galleries and museums abound among the theatres, gift shops and restaurants. John Muir Way is a long coastal walk that stretches from East Lothian to Dunbar and offers breathtaking views and great countryside to enjoy on the way.

The food is a culinary delight and you'll find seafood specialities in the cafes and delicatessens as well as in the pubs and restaurants. The farmers markets are a good opportunity for tasting sessions as are the many food festivals hosted throughout the year like the Slow Food Festival in North Berwick. If you enjoy whisky, head to the five star Glenkinchie Distillery for a wee dram! To the east lie historical buildings and ruins dating back thousands of years including the hunter gatherer house from 8300 BC! Newer ruins include the amazing hill forts of Traprain Law and many castles like Tantallon and Hailes Castle. Battle sites here are clearly seen and remain largely intact.

Beaches in the area are remarkably unspoilt and yield up rich treasures like nature reserves, birdlife, great walks, clean sands, dunes, watersports, rockpools, BBQ sites, woodland and grassland to explore.

If you're a wildlife enthusiast you'll enjoy the hares, frogs and birdlife that herald Spring in the area whilst Summer brings good Bass shoals, loads of butterflies, orchids, badgers, hedgehogs, bats and dragonflies and the rock pools are flooded with marine life too. Winter brings the stoats and weevils, geese and ducks and if you're lucky, the odd deer!

East Lothian Coast Map

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Want some ideas on where to visit?

Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, and places to stay and eat:

Peffer Sands Beach

Place Tags: Beaches

Fisherrow Sands Beach

Place Tags: Beaches

Canty Bay Beach

Place Tags: Beaches

West Links Beach

Place Tags: Beaches

Bass Rock

Dunbar lifeboat station

Place Tags: Lifeboats

Port Seton Beach

Place Tags: Beaches

Yellowcraig Beach

Place Tags: Beaches and Seaside Awards

Milsey Bay Beach

Gosford Sands Beach

Place Tags: Beaches and Seaside Awards

Dunbar East Beach

Place Tags: Beaches and Seaside Awards

Dunglass Beach

Place Tags: Beaches