About 150,000 gannets nest on Bass Rock during the breeding season; the colony is considered the largest in the world. The number can vary from one breeding season to another. From April to September, the Scottish Seabird Centre offers guided boat trips to the colony. The trips are seasonal and weather-dependent; check conditions before your trip. The Scottish Seabird Centre also offers immersive VR experiences, interactive exhibitions about marine science and coastal history, and live cameras on the islands that visitors can control. These offerings differ in format: the boat trip goes to the colony, while the exhibitions and cameras provide other ways to explore these topics.
Coast, Trails and Nature
The East Lothian section of the John Muir Way starts in Musselburgh and runs along the coast to Dunbar. Dunbar is also the birthplace of John Muir, after whom the route is named. Walks along the route reveal East Lothian’s geology, wildlife, landscapes, and rich and varied history. Another natural attraction, John Muir Country Park, offers a range of wildlife habitats.
The beaches of East Lothian offer opportunities for surfing, kayaking, kitesurfing, diving and sailing. Conditions depend on the season and weather; check them before making plans. Golf is also part of the picture: East Lothian has 18 golf clubs and 21 golf courses. Many of the courses are located along a 30-mile stretch of coast between Musselburgh and Dunbar. The region’s options range from weather-dependent beach activities to golf at courses in these clearly identified coastal towns.
History, Technology and Food
At Preston Mill, history and machinery come together. It was the last working watermill in East Lothian, and the River Tyne still powers its machinery today. Visits are by guided tour only, with tours running every 90 minutes. As visitor arrangements can change, check them before you travel. For planning purposes, this visit differs from the boat trips: access to Preston Mill is by guided tour, while trips to the colony are seasonal and weather-dependent.
The National Museum of Flight is located at East Fortune Airfield in East Lothian and has a collection of more than 50 aircraft. The museum presents Concorde as the world’s only successful supersonic passenger aircraft. Unlike Preston Mill, the focus here is aviation; at the mill, the River Tyne powers the machinery.
Glenkinchie Distillery offers an immersive visitor experience exploring traditional production methods and Edinburgh Malt. The Lowland Bar serves platters featuring locally sourced Scottish cuisine. Production and regional cuisine are thus distinct aspects of the visit. East Lothian is also home to Scotland’s first cable wakeboarding park.
Discover more destinations: Cockenzie And Port Seton, Prestonpans, Tranent, Gifford, North Berwick, Haddington, Musselburgh, Aberlady, East Linton.
Return to the main travel overview: Scotland.
