John Muir's Birthplace in Dunbar is both a museum and the starting point for two trails: the John Muir Way begins there, as does the Dunbar Cliff Top Trail. This brings a specific cultural site together with different ways to explore Dunbar and its coastline.
Museums and historic sites
John Muir's Birthplace is a museum with three floors of family-friendly exhibits. Its restored exterior looks much as it did in 1838, the year John Muir was born. Access is step-free throughout, and a lift goes to the upper floors. Check these access arrangements again before your trip.
The Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery presents local history alongside changing exhibitions by local artists. Its collections include old photographs of Dunbar and archaeological collections. During guided tours, you can visit a prison cell and the Council Chamber.
Dunbar Castle Park is a designated Scheduled Monument. Its remains include evidence of domestic and military use from the pre-Roman Iron Age through to the 16th century AD. The ruins of Dunbar Castle stand at the entrance to Victoria Harbour. At the centre of Dunbar Harbour is the Dunbar Battery, an accessible historic public space with views, public art and performances.
Coastal trails and longer routes
The John Muir Way runs 134 miles (215 km) to Helensburgh and is used for walking and cycling; Dunbar is its starting or finishing point. The Dunbar Cliff Top Trail begins at John Muir's Birthplace. A path leads from the Dunbar Cliff Top Trail area to Cromwell Harbour and Victoria Harbour. Belhaven Bay is a later point along the coastal walking route.
A coastal path also connects the John Muir Way in Dunbar with the Southern Upland Way and the Berwickshire Coastal Path at Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders. This means Dunbar offers both a clearly named starting point for a long walking and cycling route and trails with a coastal connection. When planning, it helps to distinguish between these different trail connections rather than treating them as a single route.
Beaches and waterside activities
Dunbar East Beach is just a few minutes from the town centre. There are opportunities to explore rock pools and go kayaking. Beginner surf lessons are held at Belhaven Beach and are based at the Belhaven Surf Centre in Dunbar. The centre is home to the Coast to Coast Surf School. Participants in beginner lessons must be at least seven years old and able to swim 50 metres without assistance.
Coastal golf
Dunbar Golf Club was founded in 1856. Its true links course follows the natural contours of a narrow strip of linksland between the old red sandstone wall of the wildlife park and the rocky coastline. This description conveys the course’s distinctive landscape: linksland, wall and coastline shape its layout.
Discover more destinations: Pumpherston, Livingston, East Calder, Linlithgow, Gullane, Fauldhouse, Bridgend, Uphall
For the regional travel overview: Lothian.
