East Lothian offers the best of Scotland, with over 40 miles of magnificent coastline, golden beaches, rolling countryside, award-winning attractions, outstanding food & drink, fabulous events and the world’s finest links golf courses. Positioned just a stone’s throw from the city of Edinburgh and easily accessed by road and rail and only 45 minutes from Edinburgh airport.
Image Credit: Gary Eunson
Accommodation is available to suit all visitors. Beyond the fantastic range of hotels and B&BS, the choice includes exclusive use in historic buildings; seaside locations; bothies, farm stays, a lighthouse, glamping in tree houses and top restaurants with rooms.
There’s ancient castles and historic landmarks including the spectacular Tantallon Castle and the Bass Rock, an imposing volcanic island rising from the Firth of Forth and home to the world’s largest northern Gannet colony once described by Sir David Attenborough as ‘One of the wildlife wonders of the world’. Impressive up close from a thrilling boat trip, but also as a stunning view best seen from East Lothian vantage points.
Image Credit: Gary Eunson
Uncover hidden gems including the medieval Dirleton Castle and its famous gardens; Glenkinchie Distillery, the Lowland Home of Johnnie Walker and Scotland’s only Concorde at the National Museum of Flight. East Lothian’s last working water mill, Preston Mill will delight set-jetters and Outlander fans and provides a fascinating glimpse of Scotland’s working past.
Image Credit: Visit East Lothian – Rob MacDougall
For nature lovers, popular attractions include the award-winning Scottish Seabird Centre with wildlife viewing options and conservation ethos. The surrounding landscape is easily accessible and way marked routes, gardens and estates, beach, hills and nature reserves lend themselves to some countryside immersion, from easy walks and trails to co-ordinated wildlife watching.
Follow in the footsteps of John Muir, famous Scot and naturalist and founder of the National Park Movement in the US. Visit John Muir’s Birthplace and his legacy in the John Muir Country Park and John Muir Way, a coast-to-coast route walking and cycling route stretching from Helensburgh to Dunbar.
Image Credit: Visit East Lothian
For the active explorer, our beaches offer a playground for watersports enthusiasts including sailing, kayaking and surfing. Enjoy the great outdoors as you conquer some of the best walking and cycling routes. Scotland’s first cable wakeboarding park at Foxlake Adventures is the perfect place for adventure, offering a variety of unique and exhilarating activities from overwater ropes courses, segway tours and floating Aqua Park obstacle course. Or try coasteering, an all-in-one experience swimming, climbing and jumping exploring rocky headlands and inlets.
Image Credit: Visit East Lothian – Rob MacDougall
East Lothian is the ideal location to take time to find balance, to rest, to recharge and indulge in a bit of mindfulness, explore the benefits of forest bathing or mindful loch swimming or indulge in a spot of pampering.
If you’re passionate about local produce, there’s some of Scotland’s finest food and drink reflecting the surrounding land and sea with a varied offering from farm shops, local pubs and inns to fine dining in Michelin star restaurants. Unique venues and seafood “must do experiences” like enjoying fresh lobster straight off the boat or a behind-the-scenes tour and tasting of world class gin and rum.
Image: Visit East Lothian – John Lawson
Get inspired and start planning your East Lothian adventure and make memories that will last a lifetime. For more information, click here.
