13 Beaches to Explore in East Lothian Council

Checkout places to visit in East Lothian Council

East Lothian Council

East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, as well as a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area. The county was also known as Haddingtonshire.

Activities Around

Beaches to Explore in East Lothian Council

Canty Bay

Canty Bay is a coastal hamlet with two beaches separated by a rocky headland. The western beach is uninhabited and accessible by two paths that descend the grass covered cliffs from the eastern end of the Glen golf course. The eastern beach is by the hamlet. The Canty Bay Inn offered hospitality to the tourists who came to see the Bass Rock. The tenant of the Rock was usually also the innkeeper.

Dunbar Beach

This small sandy beach with rock pools is just south of the historic harbour in the middle of the town. Public toilets and car parking nearby .Dog friendly. The beach is quite popular with kayakers and a surf school runs paddle boarding sessions here.

East Beach

The town’s East Beach is a mix of sand and shingle stretching south-east from the harbour. The beach is quite popular with kayakers and a surf school runs paddle boarding sessions here. One of the iconic location for a holiday trip and also it is a family friendly beach.

Gosford Sands

Gosford Sands is a rural sand and shingle beach in the west facing Gosford Bay. High tide covers just about all of the beach. It's a great beach for kite flying and coastal walking, as you can take the John Muir Way from Cockenzie to Aberlady passing Gosford Sands en route. Also good for sandcastle building and exploring. There is no lifeguard cover so be careful swimming and paddling.

Gullane Beach

Gullane is a Sandy beach located near North Berwick in Lothian.Dogs allowed on the beach all year round. It attracts legions of sandcastle makers or windsurfers, depending on the weather. Nearby attractions include the very well kept Dirleton, with its double village green and ruined castle; Myreton Motor Museum and the Museum of Flight at East Fortune.

Milsey Bay Beach

Milsey Bay is a sandy beach at the eastern end of North Berwick. It has lovely views out over the Firth of Forth and the Bass Rock some 2 kilometres offshore. It is a perfect place for swimming, walking, exploring rock pools, sun bathing or for a family day out. There is a boat pond built into the rocks which holds the water when the tide is out, providing a place for children to sail boats and paddle.

Musselburgh Beach

Musselburgh has a short beach, but when the tide is low, you can walk far out from the shoreline, which is quite thrilling, especially when the temperature is only 1 degree.

Prestonpans Beach

A beautiful beach which was located in the heart of East Lothian and It is a family friendly beach where you can spend some memorable time and also there are so many activities to do here.

Seton Sands Beach

Seton Sands beach is a large sand and rocky beach. The beach has some rock pools to explore as the tide goes out. The beach sits on a stretch of coast between Port Seton in the west to Longniddry in the East and just 30 minutes from Edinburgh. South of the beach there is Seton Sands Holiday Park, a popular holiday destination in the summer months for many visitors, mostly families from the west coast of Scotland and the north of England.

Thorntonloch Beach

This beautiful stretch of wide, sandy beach lies adjacent to the Torness nuclear power station, about 32 miles south of Edinburgh, just off the A1. The beach is about 400 metres long and is backed by low, grassy dunes. It is very popular with fishermen and is also used for bathing and windsurfing.

Tyninghame Beach

Tyninghame Beach is long and sandy and often dubbed as one of the most impressive beaches in the South of Scotland. Walk through the woods along one of the many paths which wind their way through the links, finally emerging out onto the huge sandy bay with dramatic views of the Bass Rock. A wild expanse of golden sand backed by dunes the beach here is often deserted except for during the summer months.

Whitesands Bay Beach

White Sands Bay is a sandy beach with golden sands and a large area of grass at the back of the beach. The beach and ample parking on the grass at the back of the beach and provides a good starting point for easy coastal walks. It is an ideal place for an early-morning swim. There are pleasant views to be had along the coast.

Yellowcraig Beach

Yellowcraig wood and beach is a natural cove beach in East Lothian with spectacular views to the lighthouse on Fidra Island. The area forms part of the John Muir Way and it is easily accessed from the coastal town of North Berwick. The beach is set in a very picturesque part of the East Lothian coastline around a 10-minute drive from North Berwick and it offers a stretch of golden sand that’s very popular, whether it’s to walk the dog in winter or swim in the sea in summer.

Map of Beaches to explore in East Lothian Council