Local East Lothian Beaches

East Lothian is blessed with more than 20 amazing sandy beaches, running across 40 miles of stunning Scottish coastline, therefore if you are looking for a beach-friendly camping holiday in Scotland, Drummohr should be your first choice. Our Musselburgh campsite is near the shores of the Firth of Forth and there are partial sea views from the site.

As well as providing stunning East Lothian walks, the beaches and harbours allow access to the following:

• Iconic East Lothian walks like Gullane Bents to Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve and North Berwick to Tantallon Castle
• Surfing at Belhaven
• Kitesurfing and kiteboarding at Longniddry and Gullane
• Coasteering with outdoor activity providers like Ocean Vertical
• Diving the islands of the Firth of Forth
• Paddleboarding and kayaking at North Berwick and Tantallon
• Sea fishing for mackerel and sea bass
  
• Wildlife spotting including puffins, whales and dolphins
• Cable wakeboarding

The nearest East Lothian beach to Drummohr is Fisherrow, Musselburgh, 3 miles away. The East Lothian beaches are shown running from West (Edinburgh) to East (Dunbar), with the Musselburgh beaches first.

Most of the East Lothian beaches coastal car parks charge for parking and take cashless payments using RingGo.

Portobello Beach, Edinburgh

Portobello Beach, 4 miles from Edinburgh city centre and 6 miles from Drummohr, is a charming seaside suburb, with two miles of sand, making it perfect for swimming and sunbathing. It has a promenade and draws large crowds in good weather. Look out also for the splendid Victorian swimming pool, featuring an original Aerotone and Turkish baths.

Fisherrow Beach, Musselburgh

Fisherrow Beach is essentially two beaches sitting either side of the harbour at Musselburgh to the mouth of the River Esk.  This sandy East Lothian beach is popular for walkers and rich in birdlife. The John Muir Way  passes adjacent to the beach and it is a 3-mile walk from the shores near Drummohr into Musselburgh along the coastal path through Levenhall Links Nature Reserve. Children's play area.

Longniddry Bents 1, 2 and 3

This long sandy and rocky beach is easily accessible, 6 miles from Drummohr. Close to nature reserves, there are lots of wading birds. It is a great spot for wildflowers. There are many rock pools along the beach. The East Lothian beach is popular with canoeists, kitesurfers, kiteboarders and windsurfers. Longniddry Bents is dog-friendly and there is even a dog exercise area.

Gullane Bents

A glorious sandy beach with extensive views of the Firth of Forth. Popular with families and ideal for walking, kite flying and kite surfing, windsurfing and canoeing. The sea buckthorn and sand dunes provide a haven for small birds. Keen walkers can walk to Gullane Point, from where there are spectacular views over Gullane Bay and the Firth of Forth beyond. Gullane Bents is 11 miles from Drummohr.

Yellowcraig

Yellowcraig (sometimes known as Broad Sands Bay) is a natural cove beach with spectacular views of the 1885 lighthouse on Fidra Island, the inspiration for the Robert Louis Stevenson tale Treasure Island.  Nature trails, barbecue site (which must be pre-booked with East Lothian Council), and adventure play area. Disperse sculpture in the woods. Dunes are perfect for butterflies. Horseback riding is very popular. 30-minute drive from Drummohr. Great East Lothian walks to North Berwick.

North Berwick West Bay 

Long sandy stretch close to the town centre, providing great views of Craigleith island and the famous Bass Rock. Great East Lothian beach for families, a perfect launch spot for sea kayakers and a renowned starting point for diving the Firth of Forth and its islands, as well as puffin watching trips. North Berwick West Bay is a 30-minute drive from Drummohr.

North Berwick Milsey Bay

Expansive sandy beach close to North Berwick. Popular with families, with a boat pond built into rocks which holds the water when the tide is out, providing a safe place for children to sail boats and paddle. On the harbour in North Berwick Milsey Bay is the fabulous Scottish Seabird Centre. It is possible to take boat trips out to the seabird sanctuary on Bass Rock which is visible from the beach.

Seacliff Beach

Seacliff Beach is entered through a private road off the A198 at Auldhame. It is a wonderfully sheltered spot containing Seacliff Harbour, said to be the smallest harbour in the UK. Great views of Tantallon Castle which looms on a cliff overlooking the beach. Sandy beach, ideal for families and water sports, with excellent rock pools at either end.

Tyninghame Links

Also known as Ravensheugh Sands, Tyninghame Links has its own wild charm and is normally very quiet. Walk through the woods at the John Muir Country Park, finally emerging from the forest out onto the huge sandy bay with dramatic views of the Bass Rock. 20 miles from Drummohr via the A1.

Belhaven Bay

Belhaven Bay lies within the John Muir Country Park Fringed by low, sheltering sand dunes, rich salt marsh and colourful grasslands. The Bridge to Nowhere is popular with photographers when it is engulfed with water and isolated at high tide. Ideal for East Lothian walks, picnics and sunbathing with splendid views. Great place for surfing. A cliff top walk passes Dunbar harbour and ruined castle. 20 miles from Drummohr.

Dunbar East Beach

Great for rock pooling when the tide is out. Mix of sand and shingle. At certain times of year and in certain conditions a large amount of kelp can be deposited here by the sea.

Whitesands Bay

Secluded, fine golden sand beach bounded by a rocky shore and backed by low coastal grassland spotted with picnic tables. Whitesands Bay is an ideal place for an early-morning swim as it faces East and gets lots of sunshine and is soft sand underfoot as you enter the water. A geology trail starts in the car park, and footpaths from the car park pass the old lime quarry areas and the former limekilns. 30-minute drive from Drummohr.

Barns Ness Beach

A long narrow strip with a rocky shoreline, which exposes geologically interesting rocks and extensive limestone outcrops. The foreshore gives way to a series of sandy, shingle and pebble beaches. The whitewashed lighthouse at Barns Ness, dating from 1901, was built by David Stevenson. Great views out to sea and a plethora of bird life. 30-minute drive on the A1.

Skateraw

A small quiet beach, Skateraw lies in the shadow of Torness Power Station. 26 miles from Drummohr, with a walkway along the seawall of the power station.  Good for sea fishing due to the warm waters around the power station.

Thorntonloch

Almost hidden behind the rocky outcrop at Torness Point, this beautiful sandy beach runs south for about 400m, backed along its length of amazing dunes. Thornton loch is very popular with fishermen.