Discover Dunbar: Coast, History and Trails

Dunbar combines coastal landscapes, a vibrant history and distinctive trails to create a destination with many different ideas for days out. Between the harbour, beaches and historic sites, you can combine culture and activity. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Dunbar, you can therefore plan your trip around your preferred pace: one day might take you into John Muir’s history, another to the coast or onto a longer walking and cycling route.

John Muir, Museums and Dunbar’s History

A good starting point for exploring the town’s history is John Muir's Birthplace. The museum extends over three floors and features family-friendly exhibitions. John Muir's Birthplace has step-free access throughout and a lift to the upper floors. The exterior of the birthplace has been restored and today looks largely as it did in 1838, when John Muir was born. At the same time, John Muir's Birthplace is the starting point of the John Muir Way.

The Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery also brings together several perspectives on the town. Local history is presented alongside changing exhibitions by local artists. Old photographs of Dunbar and archaeological collections complement the exhibition. During guided tours, visitors can also view a prison cell and the Council Chamber.

Dunbar Battery is an accessible historic public site at the centre of the harbour. It offers views, public art and performances. The ruins of Dunbar Castle stand at the entrance to Victoria Harbour. Dunbar Castle Park is designated as a Scheduled Monument and preserves remains of domestic and military use from the pre-Roman Iron Age to the 16th century AD. Those interested in sporting history can also find the Dunbar Golf Club, a club founded in 1856.

Coast, Beach and Active Days

Dunbar East Beach is only a few minutes from the town centre. There are opportunities for rock pooling and kayaking. Beginner surfing courses are held at Belhaven Beach and are based at the Belhaven Surf Centre in Dunbar. The Belhaven Surf Centre is home to the Coast to Coast Surf School. Participants in beginner surfing courses must be at least 7 years old and able to swim 50 metres without assistance. You should take this specific requirement into account when planning a shared day at the beach.

The Dunbar Cliff Top Trail also offers different ways to explore the coast. The route begins at the John Muir's Birthplace Museum and leads to the harbours of Cromwell Harbour and Victoria Harbour. The coastal route continues to Belhaven Bay. For your holiday apartment, the key consideration is therefore whether you want to focus on culture, beach activities or a longer route.

Walking, Cycling and Landscape

Dunbar is the starting or finishing point of the 134-mile (215 km) John Muir Way to Helensburgh, a route for walking and cycling. A coastal path connects the John Muir Way in Dunbar with the Southern Upland Way and the Berwickshire Coastal Path near Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders. This gives the town links both for a single walking idea and for travellers who want to include longer distances in their plans.

The coastal landscape is also reflected in the character of the true links golf course: it follows the natural contours of a narrow strip of links land between the old red sandstone wall of the wildlife park and the rocky coast. This contrast of wall, open terrain and rocks brings the landscape to life and complements the historic impressions of the harbour and castle. Accommodation in Dunbar can therefore serve as a base for very different days out, with your choice guided by the places and activities that are particularly important to your travel group.

Further Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare Dunbar with other destinations, you can also view Bridgend, Armadale, Pumpherston, Winchburgh, Bathgate, Gullane, Linlithgow and Pencaitland.

To the main travel overview: Lothian.