Reluctantly, we’re going to let you in on one of East Lothian’s best kept secrets. You see, we love Seacliff Beach so much that we’d like to keep it to ourselves but that would be selfish, so we’re going to share it with you and ask you to keep it a secret too - deal?
Seacliff Beach can be found just off a private road, reached via the A198 at Auldhame. There’s a £3 toll to access the beach and car park, but it’s worth every penny as Seacliff is a tranquil haven, where you can enjoy a quiet stroll by the sea and hardly bump into another soul. It’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. On a clear day, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the Hebrides, as the golden sand and azure blue sea gives the place a real Hebridean hue. It’s only the Bass Rock looming in the Firth of Forth that gives away the true location.
Seacliff is a beach with interesting features too. To the west of its sandy, sheltered bay sits a tiny harbour built in the Victorian era. It was hewn, painstakingly out of a large lump of sandstone known as Ghegan Rock. The tiny harbour has access to the sea via a narrow, sandstone channel. It’s a real feat of Victorian engineering.
From the harbour the mighty, medieval fortress and one time Douglas family stronghold, Tantallon Castle can be seen looming from its clifftop seat. Another castle ruin sits hidden, and all but forgotten nearby. Concealed on a leafy incline, behind the west side of the beach lie the ruins of the 16th century Auldhame Castle. Only a vaulted cellar and some tower walls remain today. Unlike its famous next-door neighbour, little is known of its history.
On the east side of the beach a rocky outcrop known as St Baldred’s Boat, protrudes into the sea. At its tip a conical stone pillar, topped by a cross can be seen rising from the water. The cross commemorate the 8th century hermit, St Baldred of Tyninghame. This part of East Lothian has strong links to the saint who is thought to have arrived in East Lothian from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland.
In true hermit fashion, St Baldred loved nothing better than a bit of solitary confinement. Sitting above the beach in the car park, is a small cave known as St Baldred’s Cave. Local legend says that St Baldred lived in the cave from time to time. Excavations of the cave led to the discovery of a large rock, thought to have been used as an altar. Human and animal remains, pottery fragments and a bone knife were also unearthed, but they dated to the Iron Age and not the 8th century.
Seacliff has much more to offer than pretty scenery and history though. It’s an excellent place to take children to explore rockpools, build sandcastles and paddle in the sea. Older children will love clambering up Ghegan Rock to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the beach. Seacliff is a wonderful subject for photographers too, with lots of interesting features to snap. Wildlife lovers can watch thousands of seabirds swarming around the Bass Rock. Its sheltered location also makes Seacliff the perfect spot to enjoy a good old fashioned picnic by the sea, and who doesn’t love a picnic?
So, that’s Seacliff Beach, one of East Lothian’s best kept secrets and finest hidden gems. Please remember to keep it to yourself, as we don’t want everyone to know about it!
Visiting Seacliff Beach
Location: Accessed via a private road, just off the A198 at Auldhame. Postcode for sat nav EH39 5PP.
Entry fee: £3 charge, paid at an unmanned toll barrier
Facilities: On-site parking, toilets
Access: The beach is located right next to the car park and toilets, and is accessed via some wooden steps with handrails.
Samantha Grant, February 2017
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Great Places to Eat Out in East Lothian
You don’t have to look far in East Lothian to find great places to eat out. This is a region that celebrates Scotland’s rich, natural larder. You’ll find Scotch beef, locally caught seafood and home-grown fruit and vegetables in abundance on menus. There’s something to suit all tastes, occasions and budgets, so let’s take a look at what’s out there:
Fine dining
Whether you want to enjoy Valentine’s Day with a romantic meal or celebrate a special occasion with good food and wine, East Lothian has options aplenty.
Set within six acres of beautiful grounds, Chez Roux is the perfect venue for that special celebration.
This North Berwick restaurant has stunning views of the Firth of Forth. You’ll be torn between tucking into dinner and enjoying the view.
Bistro dining
The towns and villages of East Lothian boast numerous gastropubs and bistros serving great quality meals.
The Creel
Situated by the harbour in Dunbar, you can enjoy the fruits of the sea, combined with the smell of fresh sea air. The Chef/Proprietor at The Creel earned his stripes working with seafood guru Rick Stein.
A visit to the unspoiled town of East Linton is like stepping back in time. The Crown & Kitchen is a popular spot, serving tasty gastropub food.
Family friendly fun
Keeping children amused can be a challenge. Luckily East Lothian has a number of child friendly attractions where you can take the kids to burn off excess energy, and enjoy a bite to eat.
You’ll definitely build up an appetite after a visit to Scotland’s first cable wakeboarding park. Foxlake’s award winning Boardwalk Café is a great place to refuel after an activity packed day out.
Budding aviators will love the National Museum of Flight which is home to Concorde. There’s an on-site café too which serves light lunches and sweet treats.
Dog friendly
East Lothian is a popular destination with dog walkers due to its abundance of long sandy beaches, walking trails, hills and parks. Many local eateries are dog friendly, making it possible to enjoy a good walk and a nice lunch.
Situated in the village of Gifford, The Goblin Ha’ welcomes dogs and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you’re feeling brave explore the ruins of Yester Castle nearby, and trace the origins of The Goblin Ha’s unusual name!
Cockenzie House & Gardens
Explore the beautiful grounds of this 17th century house, then unwind in Cadell’s Café which welcomes dogs in the conservatory and terrace.
Farm shops & garden centres
The Café at Merryhatton Garden Centre
Those of you with green fingers will enjoy a visit to Merryhatton Garden Centre, where you can combine your passion for horticulture with a bite to eat.
Fenton Barns Farm Shop and Cafe
If you’re self-catering in the area why not stock up on some fresh local ingredients at the farm shop? If you prefer to leave the cooking to others, there’s an on-site café too.
Coffee & cakes
Who doesn’t enjoy the guilty pleasure of tucking into a delicious slice of homemade cake? You’ll find lots of lovely places to do just that dotted throughout East Lothian.
The Loft Café & Bakery in the Royal Burgh of Haddington serves an enticing selection of cakes, teas and coffees. Burn off those calories afterwards with a brisk walk along the River Tyne.
Tyninghame Smiddy Café
The tiny village of Tyninghame is chocolate box pretty. The Smiddy Café is the ideal place to stop for cake and coffee after a visit to the stunning Tyninghame Beach.
Wonderful ice-cream to enjoy by the sea
If you're lucky enough to have eaten ice-cream in Italy, then you'll know that it's unbelievably good. Did you know that you can find ice-cream every bit as good here in East Lothian?
Alanda’s Gelateria
Alanda’s in North Berwick use locally sourced ingredients to make their ice-cream. They have an enticing choice of flavours on offer, ranging from maple walnut fudge to Madagascan vanilla. Even Ewan McGregor couldn’t resist popping in when he was in the area recently.
Drive through Musselburgh when the sun’s out and you’ll see a queue, snaking out of the door of Luca’s. Luca’s is a much-loved East Lothian institution for good reason – their ice-cream is phenomenally good.
This whistle-stop tour of eating out in East Lothian barely scratches the surface when it comes to the large number of high quality options there are out there, so why not pay us a visit and find out for yourself?
