Local Beaches in East Lothian

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 Camping and Glamping site, a 4-star beach-friendly campsite in East Lothian, should be your first choice. Our site is near the shores of the Firth of Forth and there are partial sea views from the site.

As well as providing the location for stunning scenery and walking, East Lothian's beaches and harbours allow access to sea fishing for mackerel and sea bass, as well as a wide variety of watersports including 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. Those looking for something different can also try cable wakeboarding.

Our nearest East Lothian beach is Fisherrow, Musselburgh, 3 miles from our Edinburgh campsite.The East Lothian beaches are shown running from West (Edinburgh) to East (Dunbar).

Most East Lothian 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, 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 134-mile long John Muir Way long distance path 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 close by.

Longniddry Bents 1, 2 and 3

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

Gullane Bents, Gullane

A glorious sandy beach from which there are 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. 11 miles from Drummohr.

Yellowcraig, West of North Berwick

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 Robert Louis Stevenson famous tale Treasure Island.  It is a very popular family beach, which offers nature trails, barbecue site (which must be pre-booked with East Lothian Council), and adventure play area. There is also the Disperse sculpture in the woods and the dunes are perfect for wildlife such as butterflies. Horseback riding is very popular at Yellowcraigs. 30-minute drive from Drummohr.

West Bay Beach, North Berwick

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

Milsey Bay, North Berwick

Expansive sandy North Berwick beach at the Eastern end close to the harbour. Popular with families, there is 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 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, North Berwick

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 of the beach.

Tyninghame Links, North of Dunbar

Also known as Ravensheugh Sands, this beach has its own wild charm and is normally very quiet. Walk through the woods along one of the many paths which wind their way through the links, 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, Dunbar

Belhaven Bay is an extensive Dunbar beach within the John Muir Country Park and stretches from Belhaven to the north of the River Tyne. It is 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. The beach is ideal for walking, having picnics and sunbathing and affords splendid views. It is a great place for surfing. A cliff top walk passes Dunbar harbour and ruined castle. 20 miles from Drummohr.

East Beach, Dunbar

Great Dunbar beach for rock pooling when the tide is out with a 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, South of Dunbar

A quiet, secluded, rural, attractive Dunbar beach with fine golden sand bounded by a rocky shore and backed by low coastal grassland spotted with picnic tables. Whitesands 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, South of Dunbar

A long narrow strip with a rocky shoreline, which when submerged at high water 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. Added to this are great views out to sea and the sounds of a plethora of bird life. 30-minute drive on the A1.

Skateraw, South of Dunbar near Torness

A small quiet beach lying 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, South of Dunbar near Torness

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. It is very popular with fishermen. 

We think with a choice of so many beaches within an hour’s drive that Drummohr holiday park is an ideal beach-friendly campsite.