Countryside sites

Aberlady Bay was the first Local Nature Reserve (LNR) designated in the UK, established in 1952. It is widely recognised for its rich mosaic of coastal habitats and exceptional wildlife value. 

The reserve covers a broad swathe of coastline on the south side of the Firth of Forth and forms part of wider protected areas such as the Firth of Forth SSSI, thanks to its important bird, plant, and geological features. 

Habitats and landscape

Aberlady Bay offers an unusually complete sequence of coastal habitats, including:

• Saltmarsh and mudflats
• Sand dunes
• Coastal grassland and scrub
• Woodland pockets
• A freshwater lochan

These habitats shift and change with winds, tides, and sand movement, making the reserve a dynamic landscape. 

The main path leads visitors past these varied habitats and is routed to avoid sensitive wildlife refuge zones. 

Wildlife

Birds - Aberlady Bay is a major hotspot for birdlife. Highlights include:

• Up to 30,000 pink‑footed geese roosting in autumn after arriving from Iceland. 
• Spring and summer migrants such as sedge warblers, whitethroats, blackcaps, and wading birds like redshank and ringed plover. 
• Occasional rare bird visitors including Egyptian geese, Caspian plovers, and Western sandpipers. 

Plants and invertebrates - The reserve supports over 550 plant species, many of them locally rare, which in turn provide habitat for a wide variety of invertebrates. 

Other wildlife visitors may encounter:

• Roe deer
• Frogs, caterpillars, and other invertebrates
• Occasionally dolphins, visible offshore in the Firth of Forth 

Wildfowling

Read about wildfowling and apply for a permit online.

How to get there

By bus - East Coast Buses operate services that passes by the Nature Reserve, you can ask to be dropped off nearby.

By car - A small car park is located just off the A198 to the East of Aberlady village. Parking charges apply at coastal car parks.

By bicycle - The A198 passes along the South of the Nature Reserve. Within the Reserve, tracks are mostly sandy and not ideal for cycling.

Facilities

• the Countryside Ranger Service co-ordinates the day-to-day management of this site
• small toilet adjacent to the car park.

John Muir Country Park lies near Dunbar and West Barns and was officially designated on 12 October 1976 to commemorate naturalist and conservation pioneer John Muir, who was born in Dunbar. The park covers 713.5 hectares (1,763 acres) and stretches across 13 km (8 miles) of coastline from Peffer Sands to Dunbar Castle. 

It forms part of the Firth of Forth Ramsar Site, and is also designated as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and SPA (Special Protection Area) for its biological, geological, and coastal importance. 

Habitats and landscape

John Muir Country Park is known for its diverse coastal and terrestrial habitats, including:

• Saltmarshes and mudflats
• Sand dunes
• Woodlands and scrub
• Permanent grassland

• Rocky and sandy shorelines

  This variety supports rich biodiversity, and the landscape offers sweeping views including Belhaven Bay, cliffs near Dunbar, and woodlands that frame the coastline. 

Flora

Around 400 plant species have been recorded in the park, including:

• Thrift and sea aster on saltmarshes
• Sea rocket and biting stonecrop on the upper beach
• Marram grass and bird’s‑foot trefoil on dunes

• Meadow cranesbill and viper’s bugloss along woodland edges

  These varied plant communities contribute significantly to the park’s ecological value and support a wide range of insects.

Wildlife

Birds - The park is renowned for its birdlife, including both residents and migrants:

• Whooper swan, greenshank, whimbrel, little tern
• Kittiwakes nesting on Dunbar Castle
• Skylark, meadow pipit, lapwing, ringed plover, gannets, terns
• Occasional rarities: Spoonbill, Great White Heron
   

Insects and other wildlife - common species include:

• Butterflies: meadow brown, common blue
• Moths: cinnabar, six‑spot burnet
• Their caterpillars, especially cinnabar larvae, are visible in late summer.
   

History and archaeology

Within the park lie 52 archaeological and historical sites, including:

• Ruins of Dunbar Castle
• Wartime defences
• Historic buildings 

Horse Riding

A voluntary permit scheme is in operation to encourage responsible riding and ensure riders are kept up to date with changes/operations on site that may affect riders. There is no fee for the permit. To register please email: ranger@eastlothian.gov.uk

Due to the tide affecting safe access to the beach vie the Tyne estuary, please consult tide times in advance of your outing. 

Wildfowling

Read about wildfowling and apply for a permit online.

How to get there

By car - Follow the A1. At the Thistly Cross Roundabout, take the turning towards Dunbar/East Linton/North Berwick. Arriving soon after at a second roundabout, turn right (along the A1087, signposted Dunbar). After one kilometre, turn left and follow the signs into Linkfield car park which is clearly signposted. Parking charges apply at coastal car parks.

By train - ScotRail services operate between Dunbar and Edinburgh. High speed train services also opeate on this route. From Dunbar station it is a 15 minute walk to Dunbar Harbour at the East end of John Muir Country Park.

By bus - East Coast Buses operate services between Edinburgh and Dunbar, ask the driver to drop you off near to John Muir Country Park.

Yellowcraig is a scenic coastal area in East Lothian featuring a rich blend of woodland, dune grassland, and golden sandy beach. Its varied habitats and striking views make it one of the region’s most popular outdoor destinations. 

Located near Dirleton and close to North Berwick, Yellowcraig is accessible via the A198 and is part of the John Muir Way, a long‑distance trail connecting Musselburgh to Dunglass. 

Landscape and setting

Yellowcraig’s landscape is shaped by its mix of coastal and wooded environments:

• Woodland and dune grassland: Provide seasonal interest, from orchids in summer to colourful fungi and autumn foliage later in the year. 
• Natural Cove Beach: A broad, beautiful stretch of sand with impressive views toward Fidra Island and its 1885 lighthouse. 
• Fidra Island: An RSPB nature reserve and reputed inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. 

The area is partly within the Firth of Forth SSSI, emphasising its ecological importance. 

Wildlife and natural history

Yellowcraig supports a rich assemblage of plants and animals, thanks to its diverse habitats:

• Summer seabirds and offshore activity
• Orchids and other flowering plants in low grasslands

• Seasonal fungi in autumn

  The surrounding coastal environment offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching, especially towards Fidra, which hosts puffins and other seabirds. 

A full colour guide to the wildlife and history of Yellowcraig is available or copies can be bought from us for £4.50.

Facilities

• the Countryside Ranger Service co-ordinates the day-to-day management of this site
• a large children's play area is located just off the main path towards the beach
• toilets and showers are located on site
• there are 3 picnic benches next to the information area/toilets - one with wheelchair access
• wheelchair accessible path and ramp - with coastal views
• find a campsite in East Lothian and read about how to camp legally and responsibly

How to get there

By bicycle or car - From Edinburgh, leave the A198 at the first turning signposted to Dirleton. Follow the road through the village, and take the left turn as you leave the village, which is signposted to Yellowcraig. The car park is at the end of this road.

From North Berwick, take the first right turning signposted to Dirleton. Take the next right after 200m, which is signposted to Yellowcraig and continue on this road to the car park. Parking charges apply at coastal car parks.

By bus - East Coast Buses operate service 124/X5 from Edinburgh to North Berwick, stopping at Dirleton. From Dirleton there is a choice of walking along the footpath following road signs for Yellowcraig, or follow the John Muir Way from the west end of the village. 

By train - The nearest train station is at North Berwick, from which buses can be taken to Dirleton, as above. You can walk on the John Muir Way to Yellowcraig from North Berwick.

These three adjoining coastal sites lie between Dunbar and the Scottish Borders, forming a varied stretch of grassland, rocky and sandy shoreline, and important limestone-rich habitats. They are managed as a combined suite of countryside sites, with Torness Power Station sitting centrally along the coastline. 

Coastal grasslands and limestone influence

The area is underlain by rich limestone deposits, which have historically supported local lime works and now contribute to a distinct plant community adapted to alkaline soils and salty winds. Centuries-old limestone kilns remain visible, particularly near Skateraw and Whitesands. 

This unique geology also creates varied botanical interest, supporting species seldom found elsewhere in East Lothian, including:

• Autumn gentian
• White horehound
• Yellow-horned poppy
   

Coastal exposures along the shore reveal rock layers and geological transitions—making the area appealing for geology enthusiasts. 

Barns Ness

Barns Ness is known for its prominent lighthouse and its reputation as a hotspot for migrant birds, particularly in autumn as species make landfall after crossing the North Sea. Rare birds often draw attention from birdwatchers. 

The limestone here can be explored via an excellent coastal walk, offering fossil-rich exposures dating back around 320 million years (Carboniferous period). Visitors can find:

• Colonial and solitary corals
• Crinoid discs
• Trace fossils such as Thalassinoides and Rhizocorallium
   

Barns Ness also illustrates the region’s former agricultural lime industry, with kiln remains still visible. 

Whitesands

Whitesands Beach is a wide curve of golden sand, edged by low cliffs and rocky shelves. It is popular for:

• Sea swimming
• Dune and grassland walks
• Rockpooling at low tide
• A geology trail suitable for families
   

Toilets are available year‑round, with easy parking accessed via a single-track road off the A1087.  

Skateraw

Skateraw sits east of Whitesands and includes:

• A small crescent-shaped beach
• A sheltered harbour area overlooked by Torness Power Station
• A car park and seasonal toilets (May–September)

It also features:

• Historic lime kilns
• A WWI airfield site (1917–1919) once used by No. 77 Squadron RFC/RAF
• A memorial cross dedicated to boys from Rev. Selby Wright’s 1930s Canongate club who later died in WWII
   

Botanically, Skateraw supports the same rare alkaline‑loving coastal plants as Barns Ness and is noted for attracting scarce migrant birds in spring and autumn. 

Facilities

• a full-time Countryside Ranger co-ordinates the day-to-day management of this site
• toilets at Whitesands and Thorntonloch all year, and May to September at Skateraw
• find a campsite and read about how to camp

How to get there

By bicycle or car - ensure you have an up to date road map as the access has changed; there is no longer a road connecting Skateraw with Barns Ness. Skateraw and Thorntonloch are accessed from turnings south of Torness Power station, whereas Whitesands and Barns Ness are reached by a single-track road that is located off the A1087, 2 miles south of Dunbar. Parking charges apply at coastal car parks.

By bus - no buses serve these sites directly, though Perryman's buses can drop you off nearby. You will have to cross the A1, however, which requires care.

North Berwick Law is a striking conical volcanic hill rising to 187 m (613 ft) on the outskirts of the town of North Berwick, East Lothian. Its dramatic profile dominates the surrounding landscape and makes it one of the region’s most recognisable landmarks. [eastlothian.gov.uk], [en.wikipedia.org]

Geological significance

North Berwick Law is a classic volcanic plug made of phonolitic trachyte, formed around 350 million years ago during the Carboniferous period when molten lava cooled into a hard resistant mass. Later, during the Ice Age, glaciers sculpted the formation into a distinctive crag and tail landform—its steep western face and trailing eastern slope reflect this glacial shaping. 

Fresh exposures of this ancient volcanic rock can be seen in the old quarry on the southern side of the hill, while weathered surfaces appear along the walking routes. 

Natural history

The hill supports well‑drained grasslands that host plants adapted to varied alkalinity and acidity. Notable species include:

• Purple milk‑vetch
• Wild thyme
  These grasslands are maintained through a programme of Exmoor pony grazing, helping to promote wildflower diversity. The bare rock areas also support valuable assemblages of mosses and lichens, including species that are nationally scarce. 

Historical features

The summit area preserves layers of human history, including:

• Iron Age hillfort remains
• Ruins of Napoleonic‑era lookout posts
• WWII observation structures

For over 250 years, the summit has been topped with a whale’s jawbone. The most recent jawbone—a fibreglass replica—was airlifted into place in 2008, replacing earlier real bones removed due to safety concerns. [eastlothian.gov.uk], 

Facilities

• a full-time Countryside Ranger co-ordinates the day-to-day management of this site
• There are no toilet facilities here
• find a campsite and read about how to camp

How to get there

By train: ScotRail services run to North Berwick; the hill is a 20‑minute walk from the station. 

By car: Access via the B1347, with a signposted turn‑off to the Law car park. Parking charges apply at coastal car parks.

By bus: Service 128 between Haddington and North Berwick passes the site.

Traprain Law is a striking volcanic hill rising above the farmland of East Lothian, about 4 miles east of Haddington. Standing at 221 metres, it forms a distinctive landmark shaped by ancient volcanic activity and later sculpted by glacial erosion.
 

Landscape and geology

• Volcanic origin: Traprain Law is a laccolith—a dome‑shaped igneous intrusion composed of phonolite, a rare volcanic rock in Scotland.
• Shaped by ice: The last ice age carved the hill into its current crag‑and‑tail form, comparable to the landforms that support Edinburgh Castle.
• Its abrupt rise from flat farmland gives it a dramatic silhouette in the landscape.
   

History and archaeology

Traprain Law is one of Scotland’s most important archaeological sites.

Ancient settlement

• It was the site of a major hillfort, likely the capital of the Votadini,  a powerful Iron Age tribe.
• Excavations show occupation from the Bronze Age onward, with ramparts rebuilt repeatedly through the Iron Age and Roman contact period.
   

Roman connections

• In 1919, archaeologists discovered the Traprain Law Treasure:
  a hoard of around 250 pieces of hacked Roman silver, weighing 22–24 kg — the largest Roman silver hoard found outside the Roman Empire.
   

Medieval and later history

• The hill was used as a beacon site in the 1500s to warn of invasion.
  Quarrying in the 20th century altered the north face.
   

Wildlife and plantlife

Traprain Law supports rich grasslands rare in today’s agricultural landscape.

• Wildlife includes foxes, badgers, newts, barn owls, skylarks, peregrine falcons, and the well‑known Exmoor ponies that graze the hill to maintain the habitat and reduce wildfire risk.
• Notable plants include primrose, saxifrage, crested hair‑grass, meadowsweet, and extensive wildflower grassland. Rare lichens also thrive on the rockier slopes.
   

Facilities

• the Countryside Ranger Service co-ordinates the day-to-day management of this site
• no facilities on site

How to get there

By bicycle - This is located between Haddington and East Linton, just off the NCN 76 on a parallel road.

By car - from Haddington, take the road heading E out of the town which crosses the Rivere Tyne. Stay on this road for 5 miles and you will arrive at the N side of Traprain Law. From East Linton, take the turning off the A199 that goes under the A1. At the junction turn right and wind your way uphill, past a couple of farms. The road then descends to a turning on the right hand side, which is sign posted Traprain Law.

By bus - No bus services to this site.

Gullane Bents is one of East Lothian’s most popular and scenic coastal sites, known for its expansive sandy bay, rich dune systems, and excellent recreational opportunities. It is widely used by locals and visitors for walking, watersports, wildlife watching, and family days out.
 

Landscape and setting

• A wide sandy bay forming one of the most visited beaches in the east of Scotland.
• Backed by an extensive sand dune system, including paths that wind through dunes and lead to viewpoints such as Gullane Point.
• The dunes contain both low foredune ridges and more complex dune structures shaped by natural processes and historic restoration work.
   

Nature and wildlife

• Dune grasslands support a variety of plant species including viper’s bugloss, knapweed, and common bird’s‑foot‑trefoil.
• Sea buckthorn thickets provide habitat for breeding birds, foxes, small mammals, and roe deer.
• The coastal environment includes sandy shallows, boulders, and rocky reef areas that host diverse marine life, making the site suitable for beginner snorkellers.
   

Activities

• Popular for walking, wild swimming, windsurfing, kitesurfing, horse riding, and general beach recreation.
• Opportunity for snorkelling, thanks to accessible rock formations and marine habitats.

Facilities

• the Countryside Ranger Service co-ordinates the day-to-day management of this site
• wheelchair accessible viewing platform and picnic area - located close to the WC facilities, this area has 4 picnic tables located on a platform with a fantastic view across the bay
• public toilets, including accessible toilets, a changing spaces toilet and outdoor shower and tap
• find a campsite and read about how to camp

How to get there

By bus - East Coast Buses operate service 124/X5 with stops in Gullane village. Prentice of Haddington operate service 122 Gullane circle which runs from Haddington. The bus stop on Goose Green in the centre of Gullane village is a ten minute walk to the beach.

By bicycle or car - Gullane Bents car park is signposted from the A198 coast road at the west end of Gullane village. Vehicle height restriction may vary between 1.9m and 2.1m (approach with caution). Bicycle parking available. Parking charges apply at coastal car parks.

Longniddry Bents is a long, attractive stretch of East Lothian coastline made up of coastal grassland, sand dunes, sandy and rocky shore, and wide views across the Firth of Forth. It forms a 3 km strip of mixed shoreline extending between Seton Sands to the west and Gosford Bay to the east.
 

Landscape and setting

• Features a narrow band of dunes, grassland, and beach, with both sand and rock exposures.
• Offers sweeping Firth of Forth views, including Edinburgh’s skyline and the Forth bridges from Car Park No. 3.
• Includes historic WWII concrete tank traps along sections of the beach, now partly hidden by sea‑grass and buckthorn.
   

Nature and wildlife

Longniddry Bents is notable for its wildflower-rich grasslands and diverse coastal wildlife.

Plantlife

• Base‑rich soils support plants rarely seen elsewhere in the county, including cowslips in May and bloody cranesbill later in the season, especially near Car Park No. 3.
   

Birdlife

• Attracts sea ducks, waders, sandwich terns, and autumn flocks of red‑necked grebes in Gosford Bay—making it a hotspot for birdwatchers.
   

Other wildlife

• Home to foxes and frequent grey seal sightings.
   

Designations

• Part of the Firth of Forth SSSI, SPA, and Ramsar Site, recognising its ecological importance.
   

Activities

Longniddry Bents is a popular recreational coastline offering:

• Walking (including the John Muir Way).
• Swimming, paddle sports, kite‑surfing, windsurfing, and sea kayaking.
• Birdwatching, horse riding, dog walking, picnicking, and winter beach walks.

Large flocks of shorebirds including redshank, curlew, oystercatcher and ringed plover feed and rest in Gosford bay to the east of Longniddry bents. Please reduce disturbance by giving these birds plenty of space (40-50 metres) when walking here, especially if you have a dog with you.

Facilities

• the Countryside Ranger Service co-ordinates the day-to-day management of this site
• public toilets in each car park. Including accessible toilets and outdoor shower facilities.
• mobile catering units located at Number 2 and Number 3 car parks.  Longniddry village has further food and drink outlets.
• find a campsite and read about how to camp

How to get there

By train - ScotRail The Edinburgh - North Berwick service stops every hour at Longniddry station. It is a 15 minute walk down to the coast from the station.

By bus - Lothian Bus service 26 serves Seton Sands, which is situated to the west of Longniddry Bents. East Coast Buses service 124/X5 stops at Longniddry Bents number 3 car park which is situated to the east end of the Bents.

By bicycle or car - three car parks off the B1348 / A198 serve this facility. Longniddry Bents number 1, 2 and 3. Vehicle height restriction may vary between 1.9m and 2.1m (approach with caution). Bicycle parking available.  Parking charges apply at coastal car parks.

Levenhall Links is a 134‑hectare coastal greenspace on the eastern edge of Musselburgh, East Lothian. It is a unique landscape of grassland, woodland, scrub, wetlands, ash lagoons and shoreline, created on reclaimed foreshore originally used to deposit Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA) from the former Cockenzie Power Station. Today, it is a major site for recreation, conservation and birdwatching.
 

Landscape and origins

• Formed in the 1960s through the construction of a 2 km breakwater and creation of multiple ash lagoons infilled with PFA slurry pumped from Cockenzie Power Station.
• Much of the site has since been landscaped and restored, creating shallow pools, grassland, and mixed habitats suitable for wildlife and low‑impact recreation.
• The area includes amenity grassland, hay meadows (e.g., Lagoon 7), uncut wildflower areas, woodland edges, boating pond, and former settlement lagoons.
   

Wildlife and conservation importance

Levenhall Links is one of the most significant birdwatching locations in Scotland:

Birdlife

• Part of the Firth of Forth SSSI, SPA and Ramsar Site, recognising its importance for wetland birds.
• Supports waders, sea ducks, gulls, terns, and seasonal flocks of up to 20,000 birds feeding on nearby mudflats.
• Rare species recorded include white‑winged scoter, surf scoter, Wilson’s phalarope, western sandpiper, and many others.

Fisherrow Sands, between the Harbour and the mouth of the River Esk, is an important low tide feeding ground for wetland birds:

• The exposed sands and mussel beds support both migratory and an overwintering assemblage in excess of 8000 birds and at times up to 20,00, comprising 31 species, including 25 qualifying species of the Firth of Forth SPA.
• Large numbers of bar-tailed godwit, knot and oystercatcher are regularly recorded at low tide.
• Winter low tide populations of, ringed plover, grey plover, redshank, turnstone, curlew, Slavonian grebe, goldeneye, velvet scoter, teal and wigeon are also significant.
• Despite the limited availability of roosting habitat, Fisherrow Sands can support significant numbers of turnstone, redshank and wigeon at high tide.
   

Other wildlife

• The site also hosts 19 butterfly species, rare invertebrates, roe deer, foxes, hares, weasels, and sightings of common and grey seals.
• Otters are occasionally seen on the adjacent River Esk.
   

Habitats and ecology

• Diverse habitats include wetlands, scrapes, meadows, grassland, and woodland.
• Lagoon 6 alone has recorded 346 invertebrate species, including five species new to Scotland.
• The wader scrape and Lagoon 8 provide crucial high‑tide roosting for thousands of migrating birds.

Recreation and public use

• Popular for birdwatching, walking, running and informal outdoor recreation.
• Hosts a boating pond, open grass areas, and informal wildlife viewing points.
• Forms part of the John Muir Way coastal route between Fisherrow Harbour and Cockenzie.

Facilities

• a full-time Countryside Ranger Service co-ordinates the day-to-day management of this site
• there are no public toilets at Levenhall Links but they can be found in Musselburgh town centre to the West or Prestonpans to the East. 
• find a campsite and read about how to camp

How to get there

By bicycle or car - At the Levenhall roundabout take the B1348 and turn left at the wooden sign for Levenhall Links, this is approximately 100m after the last houses in Levenhall. The track immediately turns to the left. Follow it along until you are next to the racecourse railings. Just after this the track turns to the right between two lots of trees. Follow the track to the right and after 200m you will come to the car park. There are no parking charges at Levenhall Links. 

By train - ScotRail services operate between Edinburgh and Wallyford, which is the closest stop. From here it is a a 20 minute walk to Levenhall Links. 

By bus - East Coast Buses and Lothian Buses operate bus services between Edinburgh and Musselburgh. Get off just after the roundabout at the Hope Place bus stop on Ravensheugh Road B1348.

A 3km linear riverside path, tarmaced for all of its length with benches for enjoying the view.

Natural history

Just as the scenes change as you walk along the river, so does the wildlife. At the river mouth, you can look across the mudflats at low tide and watch wading birds feeding, or listen out for the calls of long-tailed and eider ducks during the spring. Up to 200 mute swans gather here in the mid-summer and early autumn to moult.

In the town, there are typical riverside birds such as mallard and swan. But look out also for grey wagtails running along the walls or swallows, house martins and swifts hunting for insects above the river.

Upriver, The Grove is heavily scented in spring, as wild garlic, garlic mustard and few-flowered leek all grow here. Old willows twist and turn their way toward the sky along the banks. Not only are they spectacular to look at, but they also perform a useful task, helping to hold the riverbank together against the scouring effect of the river. Some of the younger willows here have been planted for this purpose. Kingfishers have nested in the western bank of the river along the Grove, and are often seen in winter exploring this part of the river. Dippers nest under the bridges, and herons stalk their fish prey in the quieter pools. You may be lucky enough to see salmon leaping up the ladder at the old weir, or if you are really lucky, an otter. Although they are very shy, otters have been seen here with increasing regularity, whilst mink, once a common sight, are becoming increasingly rare.

Facilities

• the Countryside Ranger Service co-ordinates the day-to-day management of this site
• there are toilets and several cafes in Musselburgh

How to get there

By bus - Musselburgh is served by two bus companies. From Edinburgh First Bus operate the 124/X5 and X29/129 Lothian Regional Transport services and numbers 15, 26, 44. Get off at the bridge over the River Esk.

By car - coming into Musselburgh from the A1, head for the High Street. A small car park is located just off the High Street on Shorthope Street, which gives ready access to the river. Parking charges may apply.

By bicycle - the route forms part of the National Cycle Route 1. It is tarmaced along its entirety.