SOUTH FROM BY GULLANE HILL & BENTS BICKERTONS WAY AND THE OLD RAILWAY TRACK Distance 1.5 miles, Duration: POSTMANS WALK 4 Distance: 3 miles. Duration: 2 Hours. 5 1.5 - 2 hours, Moderate level, 6 Distance: 2-3 miles, Duration: Moderate Level, challenging underfoot at Challenging underfoot at times. 1 - 1.5 hours times. Starting at the Old Smiddy (centre main street) cross over This is a short but interesting walk through At the Old Smiddy (centre main street Gullane) the main road and turn left following the footpath westwards parts of Estate. From Post oldest building in the village, walk South down the crossing over Sandy Loan to reach the ruined Church of Office head East along the main street and surfaced road (Saltcoats Road) between the Chil- St Andrew on your right. Inside the Churchyard is a stone cross over at the bend of the road into The Gar- dren's golf course on your left and Gullane golf cairn and plaque giving details of this historic site. Contin- course on your right. At the steading homes ue alongside the main road, walk beyond the large white dens. Do not go into the cul-de-sac but head (formerly Saltcoats Farm) turn right onto John Gullane Golf Clubhouse on your right. Continue along this straight onto the grassy path alongside a house. Muir Way and follow the path until you come to a west Links Road parallel to the first tee of Gullane No.1 At the field gate bear right up a path and walk junction. Follow the path left onto what was the golf course. Where the road ends at a gate, bear right and through a wooden gate. This is Postman's Walk track bed of the former Gullane branch line of the walk up the fairly steep grassy slope. There is rough grass with a wall on your left with fields beyond and Old North British Railway. The gravel path to the on the left and houses with walled gardens on your right. to the right. There are good views from this At the top of the slope where the wall ends turn right and path over and to the Hills of . right continues as the Way. The track- follow the path through the rough grass to reach the top of bed can become quite overgrown in the summer. Gullane Hill. There is a millennium cairn here complete Continue for 1/2 mile approx until two former Along the track look left for a view of the remains with brass direction indicator. You will see a stone and fishponds (commonly associated with medieval of the historic Saltcoats Castle dating from 1530. slated tower known as the Roundel dating from at least the religious houses) and the remains of a Carmel- Continue along the track all the way to the iron mid 18th century. It was used to host meetings by an ite Friary which was in existence from 1336. At railing blocking the way across the Peffer Burn. exclusive golf club. Continue following the green post way the junction take a right onto Climb over and continue along to reach a bridge markers (with white arrows and destination names) to reach Bickertons Way, or Strip, as it is known. There on its way to/from Aberlady Station but the track bench seating where there are superb views of Gullane Bay are woods to your right and open fields to the has been lost under cultivation. Turn left and walk and over the of Forth: The Forth Rail Bridge, The left where you can see a along the field edge to gain the surfaced road East Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing. Walk down the main broad path bearing left and to the West. On former Water Tower within. This clear path of the bridge. Walk East along the narrow, but the right is a rockier outcrop and may be worth exploring will exit after 1/2 mile or so onto the main road sometimes busy road, to reach the farm of West as there is a seated memorial (sheep pen style). Views ex- so please take care. Turn right noting there is Fenton. Turn left at the junction and walk up the tend to the South and the Hopetoun Monument on Byres no footpath alongside the main road for 1/4 road towards the East end of Gullane. Some 200m Hill, to the West over the Golf Course to Arthur’s Seat mile . Continue on past Aberlady Mains Cot- beyond a small wood and windmill on the right, above and to the East, Golf Course, tages and House and bear right down Hadding- turn left and walk through the pedestrian entrance Law and the . From the main ton Road. This will lead you back to the cross- to West Fentoungait housing. Walk straight ahead path continue beside the golf course fairway. Do not take any paths to the left as these cross the golf course. Please ing between The Gardens and the main street through the housing continuing onto Muirfield and Post Office. Drive. Walk up Muirfield Drive to the A198 in keep to the waymarked route. Bear right and follow the Gullane. Turn left on the footpath and walk track towards Gullane Bents and it’s car park. ‘Bent’ is an straight down the main street back to the Old old word for grassland by the shore where cattle may be grazed. Smiddy. Continue on the track along Marine Terrace (known locally as The Promenade) if not visiting the Bents. Turn right at Marine Road and head down to Goose Green and beyond to the main street. Cross the road back to the Old Smiddy.

THE A WALK ROUND GULLANE GULLANE TO ABERLADY BY ABERLADY TO Distance: 2.5 miles. Duration: 2.5 hours, COAST & DUNE PATHS 7 Distance: 4.5miles. Duration: 3-3.5hours. 8 allowing for places of interest. 9 Distance 1.75 miles. Duration: 1.5 hours The John Muir Way is a long distance walking From The Old Smiddy (oldest building in vil- route stretching the breadth of but with lage) cross over main road, turn left following This walk gives superb views across the Firth primary significance in East with Dun- the footpath going west until you reach the ru- of Forth and the Coastline West of Gullane. bar being the birthplace of this historic figure. In ined church of St Andrew on your right. Contin- Please note that no dogs are allowed on the the route stretches from ue alongside the main road passing Gullane Golf Nature Reserve at Aberlady Bay. From the in to in and can clubhouse on your right. Continue along West West side of Gullane Bents car park go be utilised in circular or linear walks. This walk Links road. Turn right into Hummel Road then through a gate with a rough track beyond. follows the linear route between left up Whim Road to find a short lane out onto Walk keeping left at Y junction. Uphill from Aberlady and Dirleton. Gullane Hill. Look out at the panoramic views this junction look for a green marker post on Start the walk at a convenient spot on the A198 over the . Bear right and pass the right. Turn right and follow the path above in Aberlady eastwards passing the Parish through a gate onto Hill Road. At the bottom of the beach. Beyond the cliff top path bear right Church. It takes the form of a woodland path Hill Road turn right onto Sandy Loan continuing down a shell path in front of the medal tee of alongside the A198 before joining the path by on beyond St Adrian’s Episcopal Church. Turn the 12th hole. Please ensure no golfers are dis- the bowling green and past the Church. Continue left to Goose Green and walk round clockwise. turbed before you proceed. The path passes eastwards round to the Sea Green and continue Leave Goose Green by lane in South East corner through concrete anti-tank blocks and de- on past Aberlady Nature Reserve car park, past leading to Hopetoun Terrace. Turn left walking scends towards the beach. Do not follow the historic Luffness House on your right. Just be- towards Erskine Road. Turn right into Erskine obvious track to the left as this leads onto the fore reaching Luffness New Golf Club go Road then right again walking to the end of Mid- golf course. Turn left and walk up the well de- through a gate and take the gravel path behind dleshot Road. Turn left and walk up main street. fined track. At the top keep right and walk the Golf Club house. This route will skirt the Cross two Broadgaits & Muirfield Park. At Dun- down towards the Bay. There are only a couple golf courses of Luffness and Gullane as it makes cur Road turn left and head towards Greywalls of signposts at junctions in the track so do not it’s way to Saltcoats Farm Steading houses and (designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1901 with make any left turns. If NOT accompanied by a the village of Gullane. Turn left at the signpost gardens attributed to Gertrude Jekyll). Walk back dog you can proceed through the nature re- at Saltcoats and take the road or grass verge be- down Duncur Road turn right. Cross at the pe- serve, past Mar Loch and across the wooden tween the Children's Golf Course on your right destrian crossing and turn into Muirfield Drive footbridge over the Peffer Burn to reach the and Gullane golf Club on your left. Continue then right into Muirfield Station. Walk through main road (A198). Turn left out of the car park East out of the village towards Dirleton on the the estate and along a short lane at the last house. and return to Gullane via the footpath along- A198. Follow this roadside footpath to arrive at Turn right then left into Hamilton Road. Walk side the main road. Turn right if you wish to the West Lodge of Archerfield Estate and go past the Medical Centre, Day Centre and tennis head into Aberlady. through the signposted wooden gate. Continue courts. Cross the road and head towards West East when you will then reach the East Lodge at Links Road. Turn right opposite kids golf Dirleton. Many walks available throughout the course. Cross over to your left to return to Estate. The Old Smiddy. CIRCULAR WALK FROM ABERLADY TO SPITTAL BY THE PLEASURE ABERLADY ALONG PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY GROUNDS OF 3 COUNTRY ROADS & FIELD 2 1 GOSFORD TRACKS Distance: 1.5miles, Duration: 1.75hrs WEMYSS & MARCH ESTATE each way. Moderate level challenging un- Distance: 3miles. Duration: “your choice” Distance: 3.5miles, Duration: 2hours, Easy. derfoot at times.

Start opposite Aberlady Church, walk past the The ‘Pleasure Grounds’ to the east of Gosford Walk east along the main street beyond the Post school and follow the road out of the village House are open to the public to walk in. An Office. Follow Haddington road until junction along Kirk Road, continue left at the bend be- annual or day permit must be purchased in where you turn left at the bend walking straight yond the houses and within yards there will be advance from the Wemyss & March Estate of- past Aberlady Mains House and cottages. The a gate opening on your right to a field entrance fice at Craigielaw (during office hours) or from footpath gradually turns into a rough track by a saying ‘Public Footpath to Spittal’. the Gosford Bothy Farm shop (signposted off fairly busy road so take care. Follow road until Walk along this track with woods on right and the A198 on the western outskirts of Aberlady). you come to Luffness Mains Farm, enter the open fields on left. Do not proceed beyond the The permit comes with an information leaflet surfaced farm road between two large trees. gate (Hungary House) ahead but bear left containing a map of 2 routes. Follow this road to the left of the farm units keeping the open fields to your left & wood- The Ponds Walk & The Dowdy Walk, which until you are heading for the cottages of land to your right. Continue through woodland highlights some historical background and also Luffness Mains. These cottages are traditional ahead & follow the burn, once out of the places of interest such as a Mausoleum, a boat- East Lothian cottages complete with drying woodland, keep the burn to your right. Cross a house, a curling house, an ice house and ponds. greens on the opposite side of the road. small sturdy wooden footbridge and follow Information boards also stand at the entrance to Beyond the cottages the surface turns to a broad the path to the left edge of the field curving the grounds next to the Bothy. rubble track. Swing left and head across open right at the top. Head towards a linear copse of Dogs are allowed but must be kept fields until you reach a junction of similar oak trees in the next field. You can walk the tracks. Turn left and walk beside a stream on a lead to protect the wild life within the single path formed through the trees. Once at grounds. Follow signs to Gosford Bothy heading towards woodland. Just inside the the top of the track/path follow the “Right of wood pass to the right of a large farm building where at the entrance you will find an infor- Way” post until you come out at the cottages mation board. Pick your routes to follow. We- and turn right. Large reservoir on right, please at myss and March Estates welcomes walkers keep dogs and children away from edges. Spittal. You will see another green “Right of but ask that a permit is purchased and visitors Continue on to reach the surfaced road linking Way” sign for Spittal to Aberlady. Here you stick to the marked paths and respect the Aberlady with West Fenton and Fenton barns. are on the B1377, a busy road without pave- rights and privacy of those who live and work Turn left and walk to a T junction at what is ment so if you want to return to Aberlady you on the Estate. locally known as The Avenue. Return to will need to retrace your steps. Aberlady by A198 coast or inland via the Avenue then retracing route.

GULLANE TO DIRLETON BY SCOTTISH OUTDOOR ACCESS 10 COAST & YELLOWCRAIG CODE 10 WALKS Distance: 6 miles Time 3.5 hours Know the code before you go… around Aberlady, Enjoy Scotland's From Gullane Bents car park head east on the Gullane, & Dirleton red gravel track. Beyond a small wood the path Outdoors - Responsibly! narrows and crosses a stream and becomes a Everyone has the right to be on most sandy path through an area of buckthorn. Keep land and inland water providing they right at the junction and after crossing a small act responsibly. footbridge follow the path beside the golf Your access rights and responsibilities course. Continue along fenced path. The path are explained fully in the Scottish Out- comes into more open ground looking over door Access Code.

Muirfield Golf Course and club house. After Whether you’re in the outdoors or man- passing a large green storage facility the track aging the outdoors, the key things are continues towards a larger wood. Either follow to: the wide track as it bears left towards the shore, The 10 walks in this publication are to be en- or straight ahead along a track towards the • Take responsibility for your own joyed by locals and visitors alike. The coast and dunes. After passing the house known as actions countryside linking the 3 villages is rich in both history and wildlife. There are stately homes, Marine Villa, the island of is seen off- • Respect the interests of other fortified houses, ruined castles and historic shore. It is believed that this was the inspiration people buildings of all kinds. for Robert Louis Stevenson's ‘Treasure Island’. • Care for the environment Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve and The author spent holidays in North Berwick • Find out more by visiting: www.outdoor access - scotland.com or Gosford (Wemyss & March) Estate are home to travelling there by boat along the coast and it is ducks, geese and said he wrote most of his work there. phoning your local Scottish Natural wading birds. The offshore islands of Fidra and Opposite Fidra turn right and walk inland Heritage Office. the Bass Rock are important sites for nesting towards car park. At a gate turn seabirds. Golf is a most important element in the right and follow the route of the signposted DOG WALKING life of all 3 villages with many offering golf John Muir Way. Continue along the well-used Access rights apply to people courses of championship standard. path through the woodland strip eventually heading across a wide field track towards walking dogs as long as their Where appropriate these walks have been Dirleton. Enter Dirleton near Church and dogs are kept under proper agreed by local land owners, estate factors and village green. The main route back to Gullane is golf course managers. We thank them for their through Archerfield Estate following the sign- control. suggestions. posted John Muir Way at the East Lodge on Walking in the countryside and by the coast is a your right as you walk up towards the village Updated by Anne Frost with help from healthy way to spend leisure time. Fresh air and green. If time allows visit and enthusiastic walkers and Sponsored by exercise are good for both body and mind. gardens. Gullane Area Community Council 2018 Images by Margaret Langan-Fortune N.B ALL DISTANCES & DURATIONS ARE APPROXIMATE