Churches

Throughout East Lothian there are a number of interesting and historic churches. Some which may be of interest are Athelstaneford, birthplace of the Saltire, Scotland’s national flag; Dunglass Collegiate Church, which was founded in 1450; Whitekirk Church, famed for pilgramages, and Yester Parish Church which dates from 1708.

St. Mary's Collegiate Church - Sidegate, Haddington.
Telephone - 01620 825111 (other times contact 01620 823109)
Website - www.kylemore.btinternet.co.uk/stmarys.htm
14th Century church built on the scale of cathedral. Tea-room, gift shop, brass-rubbing. Guided tours during the summer months. Open April to September.

Seton Collegiate Church - Near Cockenzie (Historic Scotland)
Telephone - 01875 813334
Website - www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
South East of Cockenzie off the A198, this is an important ecclesiastical monument of the late 15th century, with a fine vaulted apse. Open all year.

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Gardens

Inveresk Lodge Garden - 24 Inveresk Village, Musselburgh (The National Trust for Scotland)
Telephone - 01875 813334
Website - www.nts.org.uk
A visit to this inviting terraced garden in the historic village of Inveresk entices visitors with its colourful herbaceous border and variety of attractive shrubs and a collection of old roses. Noted for its colourful summer and autumn displays. Open Monday to Friday and Sundady only, during November to March. Admission times are 10.00am to 4.30pm, from March to October admission times are 10.00am to 6.00pm.

Preston Tower and Gardens - Prestonpans
Telephone - 01875 813334
15th Century tower house with renaissance additions. The gardens and doocot have been restored with elements of 17th and 18th century Scottish gardens including a laburnum arch, clipped yew hedges and herb garden. Open throughout the year. For access to tower see notice at gate.

St Mary’s Pleasance Gardens - Sidegate, Haddington
The walled garden of the 17th Century house (house not open to the public) is maintained as an old Scottish garden of the same period by the Haddington Garden Trust. Open throughout the year.

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Museums & Galleries

The Heritage of Golf Museum - West Links Road, Gullane
Telephone - 01875 870277
The visitor can see the simple beginnings, the natural materials and the craft and skill of the early makers; some successes and failures in early experiments and the beginnings of the modern game through to the present day. Situated next to Pro Shop in Gullane. Open by prior arrangement.

Myreton Motor Museum - Off A198, Aberlady
Telephone - 01875 870288
Website - www.nts.org.uk
Extensive collection dating from 1896, of cars, motor cyles, commercials and Second World War military vehicles. Open every day from 10.00am except Christmas Day.

East Lothian Council Museum Service
For information on the museums managed by East Lothian Council Lothian, visit, www.eastlothianmuseums.org

• Dunbar Town House Museum - High Street, Dunbar
  Telephone - 01368 863734
  Website - www.dunbarmuseum.org
  The historic Dunbar Town House is home to an exciting archaeology and local history centre. A display of photographs brought together by the local history centre, gives a fascinating insight into the Royal Burgh's past. Open daily 12.30pm to 4.30pm from April to October, weekends only, 2pm to 4.30pm, November to March.
   
• Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum - On B1348 by Prestonpans.
  Telephone - 0131 653 2904
  Website - www.prestongrange.org
  Former colliery with extensive displays and exhibitions. From the Visitor Centre enjoy free guided tours of the site (or tour the site on your own with an audio tour - downloadable from the web site). the site includes a now rare Hoffman brick kiln and a Cornish Beam Engine, unique in Scotland. Locomotive days in summer. Museum buildings open daily 11am to 4pm, April to October - site open all year.
   
• John Muir House - John Muir Birthplace
  Telephone - 01368 865899
  Website - www.jmbt.org.uk
  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.
  Open daily 10am to 5pm Monday - Saturday, 1pm to 5pm Sunday
  Closed Mondays and Tuesdays November to March.
   

Preston Mill - Off B1407 by East Linton (The National Trust for Scotland)
Telephone - 01620 860426
Website - www.nts.org.uk
Picturesque water mill maintained in working order, was still used commercially until 1959. Exhibition on milling and display on history of Preston Mill and the people who lived and worked there. Guided tours. Phantassie Doocot, a short walk away, once held 500 birds. Open April to September and weekends in October.

Stenton Gallery - Stenton
Telephone - 01368 850256
Email - bic@stentongallery.com
Website - www.stentongallery.com
Widely known for its coverage of contemporary arts and crafts, attracting visitors from far and wide, and artists throughout Scotland. Full details of exhibition programme can be found on the website or by telephone (24 hours).

Peter Potter Gallery - 10 The Sands, Haddington
Telephone - 01620 822080
Exhibitions of work by mainly Scottish artists and crafts people. Wide range of crafts including prints, ceramics, jewellery, glass and woodcarving. Coffee shop upstairs.

Westgate Gallery - 39-41 Westgate, North Berwick
Telephone - 01620 894976
Email - info@westgategallery.co.uk
Website - www.westgate-gallery.co.uk
Exhibitions by leading artists and craftspeople. Golf prints and local scenes a speciality. Coffee shop in gallery.

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Archery

Scottish Archery Centre - Fenton Barns, North Berwick
Telephone - 01620 850401
Website - www.scottisharcherycentre.co.uk
Open by arrangement. Visitors can try archery crossbow and air rifle all indoors. Visit our small museum. All disciplines under supervision and instruction.

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Cycling

There are many well marked cycle paths, routes and networks across the county allowing safe and enjoyable cycling for all abilities. Ordnance Survey maps – Landranger 66 and 67 will give you comprehensive information to help plan routes with paths and tourist sites clearly marked.

There are specific cycle tour maps that have planned routes to follow. Below are two, which feature recommended routes in East Lothian -

Cycling in Edinburgh & South East Scotland (Collins) 2001

• Tranent and Pencaitland easy/24km (15miles)
• Holyrood/Musselburgh/Portobello easy/25km (15.5m)
• Musselburgh to Haddington moderate/53km (33m)
• Dunbar to Haddington strenuous/55km (34m)
• North Berwick moderate/61km (38m)
• Dalkeith, Gifford, Lammermuir Hills moderate/64km (40m)

Cycle Tours around Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders (Philips) Nick Cotton 2002

• Haddington to North Berwick easy/48km (30m)
• Dunbar to the Lammermuir Hills strenuous/51km (32m)

Below are websites containing practical information on cycling in Scotland -

• www.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk
• www.forestry.gov.uk
• www.ctc.org.uk

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Fishing

East Lothian offers both fresh water and sea fishing.

Fresh Water

Hopes Reserviour - Near Gifford
Telephone - 01620 810244 (Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.00pm)
Permits available from Goblin Ha’ Hotel
Brown Trout - Open Monday to Sunday. Boat season March to September.

Markle Fisheries - Markle, East Linton
Telephone - 01620 861213
Website - www.marklefisheries.com
Email - info@marklefisheries.com
Three spring fed lochs offering bank fly-fishing, stocked with Rainbow and Brown Trout. Also new course fishert.

River Tyne - Haddington
For extensive information on permits, maps, advice and news related to fishing on the River Tyne, please visit the East Lothian Angling Association's website at www.elaa.co.uk.

Sea Fishing

Dunbar Harbour - Harbour Master
Telephone - 01368 865404

'Fisher Lassie'
Telephone 01368 864441
Fishing boat trip operates from Dunbar harbour - seasonal spring to late autumn. Party size maximum of 12. Boat hire is available. Rods and bait can be supplied at extra charge.

North Berwick Harbour - Harbour Master
Telephone - 01620 893333

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Golf Driving Ranges / Childrens Golf / Pitch & Putt

Jane Connachan Golf Centre - Fenton Barns, North Berwick
Telephone - 01620 850475
24 Floodlit bays, 9 hole par 3 golf course. Chipping and bunker area. Putting green. Professional tuition from Jane Connachan former winner of the European Ladies Open. Opening hours 9.00am to 9.00pm daily.

East Lothian Golf Range - Meadowmill Sports Complex, Tranent
Telephone - 01875 616100
Meadowmill is a modern purpose built range in excess of 300 yards long, set in an elevated position, which enables a full view of your golf shots. There are 24 floodlit covered bays with ‘Pro Turf’ easy hitting range mats and top quality two piece balls. Open 7 days a week and there is a Pro shop, Club hire and a spacious café overlooking the range where you can relax and enjoy refreshments and snacks.

Childrens Golf
There are three six hole golf courses in East Lothian which are used by local children and are open to visitors (children). As the signs in Gullane state ‘Adults must be accompanied by a child’.

• Gullane village (opposite the The Old Clubhouse Bar & Restaurant) Free
• North Berwick Golf Club
• Craigielaw Golf Club a new six hole course is due to open in the Spring of 2003

North Berwick Children’s Course - South Hamilton Road, North Berwick
Nine hole course can be accessed from South Hamilton Road next to the Marine Hotel in North Berwick. To purchase a ticket please go to the Professionals shop (David Huish), opposite the clubhouse.
Children under 16 years £1.20 for 18 holes.
Guardian/Parent £1.20 for 18 holes.
Annual ticket 13 to 15 years old £20.00
Under 12’s £10.00

Pitch & Putt - East Links, North Berwick
Telephone - 01620 892080
Open April - September. Two putting courses, six tennis courts and a petanque terrain make the East Links very popular with families during the summer months.

Fisherrow Links - New Street, Musselburgh
Telephone - 0131 665 3913
Open April to September. A nine hole pitch and putt course and two ‘pay as you play’ bowling greens.

Polson Park - Edinburgh Road, Tranent
Telephone - 01875 612994
Open April to September. In corner of this lovely park there are 3 tennis courts, a bowling green and a 9 hole putting course.

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Horse Riding

Appin Equestrian Centre - Drem, North Berwick
Telephone - 01620 880366
British Horse Society approved equestrian centre. Large indoor arena, qualified staff, quality tuition at all levels, novice, dressage/show jumping lessons, private or class to suit individual requirements on well schooled horses/ponies.

Harelaw Equestrian Centre - No. 2 Harelaw Farm Cottages, Harelaw, Longniddry
Telephone - 01875 853559
Treking, hacking, tuition specialising in beach rides for experienced riders.

Whiteloch Farm Riding & Trekking Stables - Whiteloch Farm, Macmerry
Telephone - 01875 613662
Riding instruction for all standards. Particularly welcoming to novice and nervous riders.
We have a well deserved reputation for being experienced, safe and friendly, our horses and ponies have also earned that reputation.

Trekking and riding in Scotland website
Website - www.ridinginscotland.com

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Walking

East Lothian has an excellent network of paths, bridal ways, cycle routes along the coastline and inland. 43 miles of magnificent coastline from South of Dunbar to Fisherrow Harbour, Musselburgh. Five Blue Flag awarded beaches making East Lothian one of Scotland’s cleanest coastlines. In addition the surrounding countryside is criss-crossed with paths and woodland and accessible walking in the Lammermuir Hills.

Ranger Walks East Lothian Council puts together a programme of outdoor activities. For information on organised walks and other activities please telephone 01620 827421.

Below are some recommended walks. These walks were compiled by Jim Crumley, and were published in a handy booklet called ‘Short Walks in East Lothian’. Unfortunately, the guide is out of print, but luckily the walks are not. To help you please use an Ordnance Survey map – 2 maps Landranger 66 and 67.

The Coast

• Musselburgh - Levenhall Links
• Prestonpans Tide path
• North Berwick and the Bass Rock
• Dunbar to Hedderwick and East Linton
• White Sands to Thorntonloch

The Heartland

• Pencaitland Railway
• Haddington and the Tyne
• Haddington and Longniddry Railway
• Hailes Castle to Traprain Law

The High Ground

• Pressmennan Wood
• The Lammermuir Hills

Countryside

• Traprain Law
  Traprain Law is one of East Lothian’s best-known landmarks. The site is the largest hill fort in Scotland and is second only in size to that of Maiden Castle in Dorset, England.
   
• North Berwick Law
  A prominent landmark is North Berwick Law. A conical hill 613 feet in height, which provides a marvellous view of the coast and countryside. A tall arch formed from the jawbone of a whale surmounts the Law.
   
• John Muir Country Park
  This parkland and beach area is one part of East Lothian that must be visited. The views are stunning any time of the year.
   
  733 hectare Country Park extends 8½ miles from Dunbar Castle along the cliffs. There is a cliff top trail taking you from Dunbar Harbour to Winterfield Golf Course and then leading on to the park itself.
   
  During the summer months the Countryside Ranger guides groups along the trail and at all times there are guide posts which help people to appreciate the magnificent views to the Isle of May, the Bass Rock and the hills to the South.

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Water Sports

There are a number of water sport activities that take place along the East Lothian coastline. It is always recommended that tide times and weather conditions be checked before venturing out. Listed below are some of the popular beaches and coast areas of East Lothian.

Coast to Coast Adventure Sports
Telephone - 07971 990361
Email - surfing@c2cadventure.com
Coast to Coast offers you lessons in the art of surf riding. Based immediately on the coast in East Lothian we open seven days a week (depending on swell) and offer instruction in both surf riding and body boarding.

Dunbar Harbour - Harbour Master
Telephone - 01368 865404
Popular with skin divers in the summer months.

Gullane Bents
Gullane Bents has an impressive sandy beach backed by a wide expanse of dunes. The area has been popular since the start of the last Century. Gullane Bents is suitable for all wheelchair users with assistance. The interpretive boards can also be enjoyed by the visually impaired.

John Muir Country Park and Beach
A wide variety of outdoor activities take place at John Muir Country Park. Angling, Cylcing, Horse riding, Kit Flying, Running, Surfing, Walking, Windsurfing.

Longniddry Bents
Longniddry Bents is a mecca for windsurfing.

Musselburgh / Fisherrow Harbour - Fisherrow Yacht Club
Telephone - 0131 665 3155
Sailing, Dinghies, Water-skiing and Windsurfing all take place here.

North Berwick Harbour and Beach - Harbour Master
Telephone - 01620 893333
The beach area south of the harbour is ideal for families. There is a small paddling pool to the left of the beach, next to the Seabird centre, popular in the summer months.

The Bass Rock - Bass Rock and Craigleith Boat Trip, North Berwick Harbour
Telephone 01620 892838
The Bass Rock, lying 2 miles off the North Berwick Coastline, is without doubt one of the most dramatic geological features in the United Kingdom. 350 feet of sheer cliff is composed of igneous rock formed in the volcanic era. The Bass Rock can be circumnavigated by a summer boat service, from North Berwick harbour, which provides an opportunity to inspect the birds at closer quarters.

Seacliff Beach
To the east of Tantallon on the A198 is Seacliff Bay, one of the most attractive and secluded coastal areas in the district. The owner has provided facilities and a fee is levied for cars. From the beach there are views of the ‘smallest harbour in Britain’ and the Bass Rock.

Whitesands & Thorntonloch
Beyond Dunbar lies a 4 mile stretch of coastline from Whitesands to Thorntonloch. Skateraw the Torness Coastal Walkway to Thorntonloch.

Yellowcraig Beach
On the coast 2 miles west of North Berwick the lands of Yellowcraig have developed into a natural coastal park of 94 acres. The area has a barbecue site (pre-bookable) and provides an opportunity to see a variety of habitats, including mature and recently established woodlands, dunes, links seashore and rocky outcrops. A nature trail runs up the east side of Yellowcraig.

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