Top Things to do in East Lothian
What to do and see in East Lothian, Scotland: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in East Lothian, United Kingdom including Bass Rock, NB Distillery, John Muir Alpacas, Newhailes House & Gardens, The John Muir Way, Tantallon Castle, National Museum of Flight, East Links Family Park, Belhaven Beach, Seacliff Beach.
Restaurants in East Lothian
1. Bass Rock
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By V9314JIrichardc
Hope this is the correct boat. Booked Braveheart with Dougie to take us to the Bass Rock. Superb experience. Dougie took us within 6 ft of the rock. As well as being a superb skipper, he is immensely knowledgeable about the history of the rock and it's variety of bird life. A great trip.
2. NB Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
A real distillery that produces multi award winning NB Gin, vodka and rum offering a luxury visitor experience and The Cellar Door shop that has great cellar door prices on all products!
Reviewed By brianmX8418JA - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
The NB Distillery tour and gin tasting was a great 75 minutes. We were met by very friendly and knowledgeable guides. They told us the interesting story of the creation and the short history of the distillery , which included a tour of the production facility. We then enjoyed a tasting session of their excellent products (three gins, a vodka and one of their three rums), before buying some "souvenirs" and departing with broad smiles on our faces!
3. John Muir Alpacas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 138 reviews
John Muir Alpacas is an exciting new trekking and tourism business close to John Muir Country Park and the John Muir Way in Dunbar.
Reviewed By laurenhU4590WA
Highly recommend a John Muir Alpaca Trek, such a wonderful experience, in a beautiful location. We had the most amazing morning with, Bertie, Ouzo, Toby and Harry and the wonderful owner Jen, who greeted us with a warm welcome, and made everyone feel right at home. We went on a lovely walk through the woods, which leads you out onto the most stunning beach on the estuary of John Muir. The Alpacas are just amazing, gentle, funny, inquisitive and they love a wee selfie! My Dad got paired with Ouzo, it was the perfect pairing! He’s just like my Dad, laid back and a proper gent! Jen paired everyone perfectly, as no one was in a hurry to hand them back after the trek! Thank you John Muir Alpacas, we look forward to coming back to visit soon.
4. Newhailes House & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
17th century country house on the end of Edinburgh with 80 + acres of unique protected landscape. Also home to Weehailes, our new adventure play-park specially designed for younger children and themed around the Newhailes story. We’re currently undertaking an exciting conservation project to restore several areas of the highly significant 18th century designed landscape, including the flower garden, kitchen garden and formal lawns. Please note that as of February 2019 the stables courtyard and main house will be closed as we undergo building and conservation works to improve our facilities and protect our historic buildings. However Weehailes play-park, our outdoor diner and the wider estate are fully open and accessible.
Reviewed By JaneUK - Wales, United Kingdom
This is a modern and exciting wooden playpen for kids. Plenty here for an hour of play snacks and another hour. All the things kids like zip wires tunnels clamber nets. A smaller toddler area. For parents it is fully enclosed, there is a toilet block with running water just adjacent, there is a pop up food van doing hot drinks, burgers (v), hot dogs, nachos, healthy grown up soup and amazing cake. You can eat at tables with umbrellas with excellent views of the playground. There is also an enclosed greenhouse you can eat in but you dont have views of the play area. It is spotless. If you bring your own food you can use tables just outside and come back in with hand stamp. We went by bus and had a lovely walk by the stream. Managed about 4 hours all in which was amazing vfm. Had 4-14 yo. To be fair 14 yo was really just entertaining the little ones but he enjoyed it nonetheless. If you join NTS you get repeat visits for free. Can't recommend enough.
5. The John Muir Way
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Sunjo
We walked the John Muir Way on 9-20th May. I booked all the accommodation and used the services of Steve Higson, John Muir Way Baggage Service. We had a great walk with mainly hot sunny days, good accommodation and extremely efficient baggage transfer. From my first email to Steve together with all the transfers, the service was first class. Our baggage was always awaiting us each day when we reached our destination. Many thanks for everything Steve. The John Muir Way was the best way marked long distance trail of the 10 we have walked. The walking was very easy with miles of disused railway paths, canal towpaths, tracks and country lanes. The history about the forts and the Antonine Wall was well presented and interesting. I found reading the Rucksack Readers John Muir Way helped us learn more about the surrounding area along the walk. Besides the forts, we also enjoyed a cruise on Loch Lomond, a visit to Linlithgow Palace, Falkirk with the ride on the Wheel and a visit to the Kelpies plus our 2 days of sight seeing in Edinburgh. Dunbar provided a grand finale with the John Muir Country Park and the friendly staff in the visitor centre.
6. Tantallon Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 899 reviews
Tantallon Castle is now open and we are delighted to welcome you back. Booking in advance is essential. Find out more and book at restarthistory.scot. Set on the edge of the cliffs, looking out to the Bass Rock, this formidable castle was a stronghold of the Douglas family. Ascend Tantallon’s towers for spectacular views of the Bass Rock and to watch gannets plunge into the North Sea. Then descend into the depths of a particularly grim pit prison. The castle was home to the powerful Red Douglas dynasty, which often clashed with the Crown. It was besieged by both James IV and James V but was ultimately destroyed by Oliver Cromwell’s troops in a siege of 1651. Many artefacts are displayed to help tell its dramatic stories.
Reviewed By 220NickS - Oxford, United Kingdom
A hefty walk along the beach from North Berwick (watch the tides and check your path or stay on the road) or a bus ride from the town, this was not to be missed. Views out onto crashing waves and masses of seabirds out by the Bass Rock: this was an awesome spot! The red castle walls are foreboding, majestic and even with some restrictions for the pandemic there was access to the battlements. Staff on hand were helpful and friendly- more than making up for having to book beforehand (a minor irritation), information boards were, well, informative, and on the whole a really enjoyable afternoon. I’m not a huge fan of cafes at such sites- but Tantallon, if you’re thinking about it, even a stall in the car park would be welcome...
7. National Museum of Flight
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,052 reviews
Discover a world-class collection of aircraft and hear the fascinating stories of the people who built and flew them at one of Scotland’s top attractions. Please book a timed entry ticket online at nms.ac.uk/flight in advance of your visit. Learn about the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day and immerse yourself in supersonic experiences and our historic hangers and airfield. Get on board Scotland’s Concorde to discover what transatlantic flight was like for its passengers and crew and learn more about its supersonic legacy. Then round off your day with a visit to our shop and cafe, or bring your own picnic to enjoy in our outdoor picnic area. We’re Good to Go: A range of new safety measures have been put in place, including enhanced cleaning, hand sanitising stations and pre-booking.
Reviewed By helenc422
A fantastic place to visit. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit, Concorde is spectacular but there are lots of other things to see with friendly knowledgeable staff and interesting videos to watch in the main areas. Our boys loved the assault course,we had lovely cakes and scones in the cafe and the whole place felt very clean and safe under COVID rules. Definitely a place to visit!
8. East Links Family Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 527 reviews
East Links Family Park is a farm themed activity park that brings out the child in all ages! Discover a delightful world of endearing farm animals by enjoying a train safari through the paddocks or getting up close in the small animal barn. You can also take a leisurely walk round and the information boards will tell you all about the animals you can see. If the kids feel like a change – there is LOTS for them to do. The three level Fortress is an adventure itself with over 15 different activities including a massive four lane slide, climbing frames, rat tunnels and climbing nets. For the smaller children there’s a soft play area, and the older more adventurous can enjoy go-karts, trampolines, jelly belly, ball blast arena, hay barn with climbing walls and expend their excess energy in just having fun! Enjoy being spoiled in the Family Park’s John Muir Café or in fine weather, pack a picnic. Whatever your age, you will be totally involved in PLEASURE!! Book tickets via eventbrite
Reviewed By U302CAgemmam - Lancashire, United Kingdom
Absolutely fantastic! We went on a very rainy day yet the kids loved it! Wrap up and wear waterproofs with decent footwear and you will have a great day no matter the weather! I originally thought it was quite expensive though once inside we felt it was great value! Everything included and lots to do for all ages, loved the dry slope with my hubby and kids, music maze was great fun, the outdoor play area is huge!!! Amazing day for all the family, easily spent 4hours, great value! Thank you to all the staff very helpful and friendly x
9. Belhaven Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By grantmP6248GF - Dunbar, United Kingdom
This is a beautiful place to be, wild and unspoilt just as John Muir thought too.....jogging, surfing, dog walking and people watching all a pleasure in this sanctuary from the everyday.....
10. Seacliff Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By HannahOBTraveller - Accrington, United Kingdom
I really fell in love with this beach, my partner, dog and I would walk along here late mornings and the views were beautiful of Bass Rock and furter along, Tantallon Castle.
