East Lothian Top 10

You won’t want to miss these.

There are so many great things about East Lothian that people will tell you not to miss when you visit – how do you choose? Here are our top ten must do in East Lothian for your bucket list!

In no particular order...

Bass Rock

Rising 106 metres above sea level in the Firth of Forth, the Bass Rock is an East Lothian icon!

Home to 150,000 gannets in breeding season, it is the world’s largest Northern colony and rightly famed as one of the wildlife wonders of the world.

Take a boat trip to get up close to the wildlife and see the remains of a chapel and castle which now has a lighthouse where the keep would have been.

Tantallon Castle

This is a magnificent clifftop castle with a rich and colourful history – once home to the Red Douglas dynasty.

The mighty curtain wall built of red sandstone is the finest example of 1300s castle architecture in Scotland and affords stunning views of the Bass Rock.

Bridge to Nowhere

Belhaven Bridge is known as the Bridge to Nowhere spanning the Beil Water. At low tide, you can use the bridge to reach the golden sandy beach of Belhaven Bay. However, when the tide comes in the bridge is cut off and looks like it is floating on the water!

Concorde

Step aboard Scotland’s only Concorde at the National Museum of Flight. Discover how the rich and famous travelled across the globe at twice the speed of sound on Concorde – the world’s only supersonic passenger aeroplane.

Glenkinchie Distillery

Visit Glenkinchie, The Lowland Home of Johnnie Walker and uncover the secrets of whisky making at this Victorian distillery. Enjoy a dram of The Edinburgh Malt, or try some whisky cocktails! 

Preston Mill

With its strange looking Dutch-style conical roof, Preston Mill intrigues visitors and was made famous as an Outlander location. Operating until 1959 it was East Lothian’s last working watermill. Visitors can step back in time and experience the life of a working miller.

The Lobster Shack

Sitting on the picturesque harbour at North Berwick, The Lobster Shack is a must for foodies. Enjoy the very best seafood including fresh lobster, langoustine, crab and mussels al fresco and with great views!

Lucas Ice Cream

Available throughout East Lothian but best enjoyed from the flagship cafe in Musselburgh, Lucas ice cream is well worth queuing for on a sunny summer’s day!

The Lammermuir Hills

Locally just referred to as the Lammermuirs, these hills form a natural boundary between East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.

There are a variety of walking and cycling routes with vantage points offering magnificent views. You can stop off at White Castle an Iron Age hill fort or spend an afternoon at Whiteadder Reservoir a popular spot for a picnic, sailing, swimming and fishing.

Foxlake Adventures

Scotland’s first cable wakeboarding park is a must for adventure seekers! Get your adrenaline pumping as you have a go at wakeboarding, tackle FoxFall a ropes course over water, experience the giant floating Aqua Park, follow a forest path on a Segway or take a dip and feel the benefits of open water swimming.