Neighbourhood guide

East Lothian

Seabirds and castles on the coast

East Lothian runs east along the Forth, with North Berwick's Seabird Centre and cliff-top castles.

The Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick runs wildlife boat trips and says it is open daily. Tantallon Castle has a massive red sandstone curtain wall, and Dirleton Castle served three noble families over 400 years.

Hailes Castle is a ruined fortified manor from the 1200s, and Seton Collegiate Church is a medieval church. Musselburgh Racecourse is closer to the city.

Getting there

Trains run from Waverley to North Berwick and Dunbar, and buses cover the smaller villages.

7 places

See East Lothian on the interactive map

Nearby neighbourhoods

Portobello Beach, promenade and parks 7 places · 19.7 km away

Leith Harbour, the Shore and the yacht 10 places · 22.9 km away

Holyrood Palace, Parliament and the park 9 places · 23.1 km away

Calton Hill Monuments and the view 6 places · 23.7 km away

The best of East Lothian

Best for wildlife Scottish Seabird Centre Open daily.

Best castle on a cliff Tantallon Castle A red sandstone curtain wall.

Best garden castle Dirleton Castle and Gardens Served three noble families.

Things to do in East Lothian

The parade ring in front of the stables at Musselburgh Racecourse

Day trip Musselburgh Racecourse A racecourse in Musselburgh with race days across the flat and jump seasons.

The Scottish Seabird Centre building on the shore at North Berwick

Day trip Scottish Seabird Centre A marine conservation charity's visitor centre in North Berwick with wildlife boat trips and exhibitions. Its site says it is open daily.

Tantallon Castle's red sandstone walls on the clifftop above the sea

Day trip Tantallon Castle A cliff-edge castle with a massive red sandstone curtain wall, once home of the Red Douglas dynasty.

The towers and wooden bridge of Dirleton Castle

Day trip Dirleton Castle and Gardens A fortress-residence that served three noble families over 400 years.

Day trip Seton Collegiate Church A medieval church whose story begins in the 1100s serving the parish of Seton.

The ruins of Hailes Castle beside the river

Day trip Hailes Castle The ruins of a fortified manor dating from the 1200s, tied to the Wars of Independence and Mary, Queen of Scots.

The long front of Gosford House across the lawn

Day trip Gosford House A country house in East Lothian run mainly as a hospitality venue. Its site lists open days for 2026.

From the blog

The Dugald Stewart Monument on Calton Hill with the Old Town skyline and Edinburgh Castle beyond autumn trees

Things to Do in Edinburgh: What the Guides Agree On for a First Visit Read

Stay in East Lothian

Browse live availability and compare prices around the neighbourhood.

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