Responsible Tourism
Respect East Lothian
East Lothian is a stunning destination, known for its protected coastlines, beautiful countryside, and diverse wildlife. As you explore our region, we encourage you to respect the natural environment and ensure that your visit leaves a positive impact.
How to Minimise Your Impact
- Take your litter home: Leave only footprints, taking all waste with you.
- Stick to designated paths: This helps preserve delicate habitats and prevents erosion.
- Avoid lighting fires: Fires can spread quickly and cause lasting damage.
East Lothian’s beaches are popular spots, especially during sunny weather. There are car parks at all the main beaches along the coast, but if lots are full, please avoid blocking roads or private driveways. Drive on to another beach where space is available - there's plenty to choose from! The beaches further east, like Longniddry Bents, tend to be quieter and has three car parks to choose from.
Wild Camping
If you plan to experience wild camping, please ensure you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Wild camping should be done responsibly and respectfully:-
- It should be part of a walking or cycling journey.
- Only use lightweight tents (max 2-person) and limit your group size to 4 people.
- Camp for a maximum of 2 nights in one location.
- Ensure your presence doesn't disturb local wildlife, neighbours or other visitors.
Campervans
Campervans offer a fantastic way to explore all that East Lothian has to offer, allowing you to take to the open road and visit a range of places from the comfort of your holiday home on wheels. It’s important to plan ahead; book your site in advance and check car parks which may have height barriers.
Additional Resources
For more tips on responsible camping, watch our Wild Camping Advice Video. Also, check out VisitScotland's Campervan, Motorhome & Caravan Holidays in Scotland Guide for useful information on exploring Scotland by campervan.
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Know Before You Go
Our top tip for visiting East Lothian is to 'know before you go'. It's important to plan ahead to ensure your trip is safe and hassle free.
We advise those thinking of visiting to check directly with businesses for opening times, advance booking and any special arrangements in place. You should also check what facilities including car parking, toilets etc. are available before you travel.
