East Lothian region
The East Lothian enjoys the best climate in Scotland, lots of sunshine and less rain than most other areas. It has excellent road, rail and air links to the rest of the UK and Europe. This 270 square miles of Scotland has all to offer from scenic coastline, gently rolling countryside, picturesque villages, world class and famous golf courses, castles and other historic sites, nature reserves, fishing, scenic walking trails, water sports and many other activities to enthrall all age groups. There are endless places to visit and activities to amuse.
For city lovers, Edinburgh is close by and offers everything from histrical sites to restaurants, museums, live music, and the best pubs around.
Gullane
Gullane is an ideal village to spend a holiday being centrally placed in East Lothian, on the coast, and within easy reach of Edinburgh. The village itself has all the amenities required for your stay including a Co-op, butcher, fish&chips, pubs, coffee shops and other interesting and varied shops. Gullane Bents is one of the best beaches in East Lothian with its backdrop of sand dunes, golf courses and fine houses.
Gullane is one of Scotland’s finest golfing destinations. With 5 links courses in the village including the Open Championship course at Muirfield, it has been described by some as “golf heaven”.
Dirleton
The village of Dirleton lies two miles east of Gullane. It is centred around Direlton Castle (circa 1225) which is a a favourite with children especially because of its many staircases and complete rooms. Set within the castle grounds is a magnificent garden which the Guinness Book of Records certifies as home to the world's longest herbaceous border.
North Berwick
The Royal Burgh of North Berwick has a magnificent coastline overlooking the Firth of Forth. It is a charming town with a small harbour and excellent sandy beaches, with two defining physical landmarks being the 613ft volcanic crag North Berwick Law, which overlooks the town, and the 315ft Bass Rock, home to one of the largest seabird colonies in the world. The Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick is an award winning wildlife visitor centre and one of Scotland's five star attractions. Boat trips are available out to the Forth and Bass Rock.
Aberlady
The village has an 18th century parish church that retains its 15th century tower. The High Street is lined with attractive 17th, 18th and 19th century houses and cottages.
Half a mile east of Aberlady a small car park on a bend in the A198 gives access to the Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve. This became Britain's first Local Nature Reserve in 1952 and is looked after by East Lothian Council. The total area of the reserve is 582 hectares or 1,439 acres, though two thirds of this is sand, mudflats and salt marsh falling below the high tide mark.
Haddington
Haddington sits on the River Tyne, 15 miles east of Edinburgh. The town dates from the 12th century but most of it was built during the 17th to 19th centuries, when Haddington benefited from its role as the driving force behind the Agricultural Revolution which transformed farming in East Lothian. Haddington was also the birthplace of firebrand preacher John Knox, founder of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland. No fewer than 129 buildings in Haddington have been listed as historically interesting, including the graceful Town House. At the east end of the High Street, Church Street leads to St Mary's Collegiate Church, the largest parish church in Scotland, dating from the 14th century and restored in the 1970s.
Dunbar
Dunbar is situated on a magnificent stretch of coastline and and has a picturesque harbour in the town. Dunbar is known for being the birthplace of the pioneering environmentalist John Muir.
Other Places of Interest
Museum of Flight
A site steeped in history, in 1919 the R34 Airship took off from East Fortune on its record-breaking first east-west transatlantic flight. Here you will discover some of the most extraordinary machines in the world that reveal the story of our ambition to take to the skies and find out how flight has changed our world.
Myreton Motor Museum
The museum has a large collection of cars, bicycles, motor cycles and commercial vehicles dating from 1899. There is also a large collection of period advertising, posters, enamel signs, and toy vehicles.
John Muir's Birthplace
John Muir's life and work has inspired people all over the world. Now the Dunbar birthplace of the pioneering conservationist has been transformed into a new visitor attraction. The stunning interpretative centre highlights the work and achievements of this remarkable man.
Preston Mill
There has been a mill on this site since the 16th century, and the present stone buildings date from the 18th century. The conical roofed kiln and attractive red pantiled buildings make Preston Mill a popular haunt for photographers and artists, while the nearby millpond with resident ducks geese provides the finishing touches to an idyllic countryside spot East Links Family Park - just to the west of Dunbar, full of fascinating attractions for all the family.
Tantallon Castle
Two miles east of North Berwick is a rocky headland surrounded by cliffs offering stunning views north to the sea-bird colony on Bass Rock and the site of Tantallon Castle.
Belhaven Brewery Visitors Centre
Located approximately 1 mile (1½ km) west of the centre of Dunbar in East Lothian the Belhaven Brewery was founded in 1719 and remains the oldest surviving independent brewery in Scotland and one of the oldest in Britain.
Glenkinchie Distillery
Scotland's only lowland malt whisky distillery is at Pencaitland, approx 12 mile from Gullane.
John Muir Way
The John Muir Way is being developed by East Lothian Council to provide a continuous path linking East Lothian with the City of Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. The route offers magnificent views of the East Lothian coastline and a chance to see the natural history and historic sites of this unique landscape.
Link:
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/downloads/East_Lothian_guide.pdf