On Land

Dunbar is both the perfect base for family and group cycles, and for more ambitious trips around East Lothian and the Lammermuir Hills.  Most attractions are a short (flat!) cycle from the town centre and easily accessible. Dunbar is the gateway to the many cycling challenges of the Lammermuir hills – surprisingly steep climbs and almost immediate remoteness just outside the town. Whilst the John Muir Way offers a stunning 4 or 5 day cycle adventure, Sustrans and Visit East Lothian offer a number of shorter route suggestions.  Bicycles – including ebikes – can be hired from Belhaven Bikes in Dunbar.

Please remember if you are bringing your bike by train it is advisable to book it on ahead of your visit.

Fly from tree to tree, scramble your way over obstacles and blast down the big zips on all three zones at Foxtrail.  There are dual courses which run alongside each other so that you can ride with family and friends thirty feet above the forest floor.  Each session lasts up to two hours and includes all equipment hire and instruction. All participants must be 1.4m in height and at least 8 years old.  Weight restrictions also apply. There are many other activities at Foxlake for you to experience and an excellent cafe to recharge your batteries.

Seacliff Stables, 9 miles from Dunbar offers wonderfully scenic rides on private land through the beautiful East Lothian countryside.  This family run stables offer hour long rides with the most stunning scenery including views of Tantallon Castle and the Bass Rock.  The stable is also located by Seacliff beach giving riders an opportunity to experience horse riding on this special secluded beach. There are horses to suit all abilities and for younger children 4 + years there are also half hour rides.  Book early as rides can be very popular during the summer months

Dunbar is an excellent base for walkers whether you wish to dawdle down the historic High Street, follow the Clifftop Trail or take the challenge of the 134 mile John Muir Way.  Close to the Lammermuirs and with some excellent coastal and inland walks in the area there are lots of possibilities.  See the walking and nature section for a range of ideas.

East Rock’s totally unique training environment in the woods at Foxlake is truly beautiful and through their CrossFit classes, Metcon classes, weightlifting and strongman programs you are sure to find your fitness. Their vision – a world in which everyone knows what they need mentally and physically, and has a place they can go to find it.  Crossfit helps people find their safe place through an open and organic environment where they can express themselves physically, powerfully, and playfully. So that they understand what is truly important to them and the impact of their mental and physical health on those around them.

Golf has been played in Dunbar for over 400 years and the town is proudly part of Scotland’s Golf Coast. Dunbar has two excellent golf courses within the town and both have spectacular locations with expansive views of the North Sea.  Dunbar Golf Club is an Open qualifying championship course which was established in 1856 whilst Winterfield Golf Club boasts stunning views of Belhaven Bay and the Bass Rock.

If golf is above your usual standard and the nine hole crazy golf course at East Links Family Park a little too challenging then putting on Winterfield Park, a short walk from the High Street, might just be the answer.  Located by the cliffs with stunning views this short course is a gentle but fun way to pass an hour.

Visit Foxlake and have a go at Segway, the experience lasts for 20 minutes, the session includes a safety briefing and orientation followed by an off-road trek on some of East Lothian’s most scenic trail routes.  All our sessions are led by qualified and experienced staff and are guaranteed to have everyone leaving with big smiles. There are many other activities at Foxlake for you to experience and an excellent cafe to recharge your batteries.

John Muir Alpacas offers daily alpaca treks, kids mornings and alpaca picnics! Based on a beautiful section of wild and windswept coastline with breathtaking scenery from the giant teepee tents, alongside these amazing animals.  Originally raised for their exquisite fleece the alpacas are at their happiest when trekking along John Muir Way in the company of some friendly humans. As well as trekking, the venue offers teepee tents, complete with fire pits – a magical space for private hire, for farm weddings, kids birthday parties and corporate events.

Disc golf is played like traditional golf however instead of a ball and clubs, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee®. The sport has been played since the 1970’s and is similar to traditional golf with 18 “holes” and the objective is to complete each hole in the fewest number of throws. There is a tee and as a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed. Disc golf can be played from school age to old age and because it is so easy to learn, no one is excluded and it’s fun for the whole family.

East of Scotland Microlights, less than 20 minutes from Dunbar, is Scotland’s longest-established and largest microlight flying school.  They offer a range of air experience flights with an instructor where you’ll experience the thrill of open-cockpit flying combined with the chance to see beautiful East Lothian from a completely different perspective.  You’ll see the miles of sandy beaches, fly over the largest island gannet colony in the world (Bass Rock) and be in the safe hands of their highly professional and experienced instructors. You’ll have the chance to fly the aircraft if you wish, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the incredible views!

East Lothian is a rewarding location for bird watching with a rich diversity of habitats to suit all birders.  From within the town there are opportunities to spot a large number of sea birds including noisy Kittiwakes nesting on the castle walls, diving gannets and cormorants, wings outstretched.  More experienced birders will find there are excellent locations at Tyninghame and Belhaven Bays and further east at Skateraw, Barns Ness and Thorntonloch. Inland visit the Whiteadder reservoir and Lammermuir hills.  A little further away visit St Abb’s Head for a spectacular cliff walk or North Berwick’s Seabird centre is an educational hub.

Visitors have been coming to Dunbar for centuries to enjoy the therapeutic qualities of the sea air and water.  Nowadays all that remains of the spa is a small monument beside Belhaven Beach. However, visitors and locals alike can still relax and indulge their wellbeing with yoga and pilates classes throughout the town.  There are often yoga classes on the beach, woods, or park and even on a SUP (Stand Up Paddle board). Pop into Core on the High Street for a full range of classes and the latest on other programmes.

If the weather is against you or if you wish to keep up a gym regime there are plenty of other options.  Try crossfit in the beautiful setting of Foxlake woods for a change, join a yoga or pilates class or there are a number of fitness classes and a gym at the Dunbar Leisure Pool.  There is also a running club based at Hallhill Sports Centre, a weekly Parkrun at Lochend Woods and a 10K race through the town that usually takes place on the first Saturday in April each year.  For more club sport Dunbar has a large number of sports club so there is something for everyone

Dunbar Community Tennis Centre has six outdoor tennis courts at Winterfield park, a 5 minute walk from the High Street. Visitors are very welcome and can pay and play using the honesty box, prices are detailed at the clubhouse. There is no equipment hire, so if you need to buy racquets and balls please go to Bowe Sports shop on the High Street.

The Ronnie Dale 4 x 4 Quad Bike Centre is situated only 20 minutes from Dunbar, 5 miles from Cockburnspath by Abbey St Bathans, in the heart of the Lammermuir Hills.  The activities are based within the 500 acre farm. Adults and children can enjoy family one hour quad bike sessions where they spend time getting used to the handling of the bike, no experience is necessary. They then head off on a quad bike trek with a leader in front over the farm area, home to sheep and cattle. For those with a full driving licence we offer a three hour 4 x 4 driving experience, you do the driving at all times.

Dunbar is well known for its strong community and this is reflected in its thriving clubs.  Many of the local sports clubs are based at the Hallhill Sports Centre which has impressive outdoor facilities and provides a hub for most of Dunbar’s team sports.  Throughout the town in the schools, church halls, hotels and community facilities there are a diverse range of other clubs offering activities to suit a wide range of interests from drama and music to film and boardgames.