Touring Itinerary (1-3 days) TRAVEL TRADE Love East Lothian Tantallon Castle Highlights of East Lothian Suggested options for a one to three day tour of Edinburgh’s Coast and Countryside. With its rich history and ancient castles, famous Scots and Scotland’s industrial past there are plenty of themes to be followed in glorious East Lothian with its contrasting coastal and hilly landscapes. From whatever base whether from Edinburgh, centred in the region or coming up from the south, there’s scope to create a whole vacation in the region or equally combine with Scotland wide options. Ideal for groups and also independent traveller options. Inveresk Lodge and Gardens visiteastlothian.org TRAVEL TRADE Day One Castles and Coastal Life Day Two National Treasures & Natural Places Following the East Lothian Coastal route (A198), Boat trips from North Berwick and Dunbar Suggest starting the day at the National Museum Scenic walk ideas a road mostly along the coast with fine views, of Flight and combine with some of the region’s Coastal/ Wildlife / Activities/ Environment For walks, great views and historical landmarks there are many landmarks to visit. best countryside, natural places and hidden gems. consider Dunbar’s historic harbours, there are 3, A number of little islands are dotted around this For interest in following the footsteps of John with Dunbar Castle ruins; the Battery or the cliff- Mix and match heritage visits, boat trips, seaside coastline – Fidra, the acclaimed inspiration for Muir, the famous Naturalist then Dunbar is the top walk and East Beach. towns and beaches along with great food stops. Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Treasure Island’ as well next stop. Suggest a visit to one of the great castles of the as The Lamb and Craigleith, with its population In Haddington take a stroll along the river bank region then on to North Berwick to explore its of puffins and the Isle of May in the distance. There’s scope for a variety of scenic walks for all and visit St Mary’s Church dating from the attractions. Opportunities to see seals, puffins, gannets and levels of active. 12th century and is the largest parish church in sometimes a dolphin! Scotland and take in St Mary’s Pleasance walled Tantallon Castle near North Berwick Pre book wildlife boats trips. Cruises from 1 hour National Museum of Flight garden. Iconic/ Coastal/ Mary Queen of Scots/ Castle long and private hire possible. East Fortune Airfield A cliff-top, mid-14th century fortress and one of Traprain Law Iconic/ Concorde/ First and Second World War , home to Exmoor ponies and a Scotland’s finest. A stronghold of the Douglas Braveheart Boat Trips North Berwick significant iron-age fort, a landmark throughout family, one of the most powerful families in A world class museum of First and Second the region. (A bit more strenuous walk) Scotland. It was besieged many times through Sula Boat Trips North Berwick World War artefacts, and home to one of history and interpretation and artefacts tell its Seabird Centre Wildlife Boat Trips Europe’s best collections of aircraft including the legendary Spitfire. Explore interactive exhibitions, turbulent story. Enjoy fantastic views from the North Berwick battlements out to the Bass Rock. fascinating stories in the hangars across this historic and expansive airfield as well as the More to explore Historic Environment Scotland. Bluewild Nature Boat Trips Dunbar Harbour or North Berwick by arrangement unique opportunity to get on board Scotland’s Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot, East only Concorde. Dirleton Castle and Gardens Dirleton Linton, East Lothian’s last working water Iconic/ Coastal/ Gardens/ Castle mill and a film set for Outlander; John Gray John Muir’s Birthplace Dunbar Centre, Haddington or do a historic brewery In the centre of picturesque Dirleton village, a tour with beer tastings at Belhaven Brewery. magnificent ruined castle dating from medieval More to explore Famous Scot/ Coastal times. See the chapel, the dungeons, well Born in Dunbar, John Muir became a champion Take time to enjoy the seaside town of North Suggested eating for groups preserved dovecot and spend time in the of conservation and a pioneer of the National Berwick with artisan shops, cafes and lovely Aviator Café at the National Museum of Flight; delightful gardens, with the intriguing world’s Parks movement in the US. His love of the natural beaches. Dunbar Garden Centre and The Strawberry longest herbaceous border. world started along the East Lothian coast. The Barn, Dunbar; Merryhatton Garden Centre, Historic Environment Scotland. Also on the coastal theme, the local Coastal museum celebrates his life and legacy to the world. The John Muir Way (Coast to Coast route) East Fortune and The Waterside Inn and The Communities Museum. Add a tour and Maitlandfield Hotel, Haddington Scottish Seabird Centre North Berwick tasting at multi award winning gin distillery, also begins/ends here. Coastal/ Wildlife/ Environment NB Distillery. Looking for exercise and Fact Files available from VisitEastlothian panoramic views then add a walk up Unique coastal attraction and conservation body, Seafari, North Berwick helping people learn about Scotland’s marine Berwick Law, a unique volcanic outcrop just wildlife and seabirds. The Discovery Experience above North Berwick town. provides interactive live cameras on the Bass Rock to see the world’s largest northern gannet Suggested eating for groups colony and other wildlife. The Marine Hotel and Nether Abbey Hotel, North Berwick; Open Arms, Dirleton; Ducks, Aberlady. Fact Files available from VisitEastlothian Concorde, National Museum of Flight Fidra 2 visiteastlothian.org Touring Itinerary (1-3 days) Visit East Lothian Edinburgh’s Coast & Countryside 3 TRAVEL TRADE TRAVEL TRADE Love East Lothian Day Three Historic More to explore Dating from the 18th century Amisfield Walled Houses and Gardens Garden is one of the largest walled gardens in Britain. Top Scottish gardens and historic houses are not to be missed in any tour of Scotland. In and around Local walks at Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve Musselburgh great options are Newhailes House and Gosford House Grounds. A stop at and Gardens and Inveresk Lodge Gardens, both S.Luca’s, Musselburgh for award winning ice National Trust for Scotland properties. Head along cream, including Scottish Tablet and Irn bru a lovely part of the coastal road to Dirleton or flavours. towards Haddington for some unexpected gems or exploration of this 18th century market town. Suggested eating for groups The Brunton Theatre, Crolla’s Italian Dirleton Castle and Gardens Dirleton Kitchen and Ravelston House Musselburgh; Iconic/ Coastal/ Gardens/ Castle Prestoungrange Gothenburg, Prestonpans; The Extra special experiences Seaglass Inn, Port Seton In the centre of picturesque Dirleton village, a Exclusive tours of some great historic houses of magnificent ruined castle dating from medieval Fact Files available from VisitEastlothian East Lothian Lennoxlove House, Gosford House times. See the chapel, the dungeons, well preserved and Winton Castle. Afternoon teas, tours, outdoor dovecot and spend time in the delightful gardens, activities and other bespoke experiences, variable with the intriguing world’s longest herbaceous per venue. border. Historic Environment Scotland. Shepherd House Garden, Inveresk. A private Newhailes House and Gardens garden and hidden gem and open by appointment. Musselburgh Strawberry Barn Gardens/ Coastal/ Art A unique venue for local food and drink tastings – This neo-Palladian villa, rescued using pioneering beer, gin, cider! Also fruit picking in the summer. conservation methods, boasts some of the finest rococo interiors in Scotland. Discover exquisite Haddington Farmers’ Market Chinese hand-painted wallpaper, gilded golden Friendly monthly outdoor market and chance to eagles and Italian marble fireplaces. Gardens and meet local suppliers and taste some produce. way marked trails. Special interest tours available. Amisfield Walled Garden National Trust for Scotland. Weave in a visit to Glenkinchie Distillery to any Inverness Aberdeeen Inveresk Lodge Gardens Inveresk of the day options. ((196km) (142kkmm) More itineraries to download: (Musselburgh) History and Heritage Glenkinchie Distillery Pencaitland Gardens/ Coastal/ Nature Food and Drink Experiences A walled garden paradise. Featuring many rare and Whisky/ Industrial heritage/ Iconic/ Gardens East Lothian unusual plants, including a National Collection of The Lowland Home of Johnnie Walker and EEddinburghinburghi (28km) Outdoor and Active Tropaeolum. The garden is especially impressive closest whisky distillery to Edinburgh. Working GGlasgow Nature and Wildlife (994km) New throughout autumn and winter. Victorian distillery in glorious garden setting. A Upono Tyne Outlander, Culture and Film National Trust for Scotland. variety of tours and tastings introduce you to (12727km) the flavours and the story of this whisky. Diageo. Unique Experiences Touring Itinerary (1-3 days) Itinerary Builder (1-5 day options) For further information contact: [email protected] www.visiteastlothian.org London 4 visiteastlothian.org Touring Itinerary (1-3 days) visiteastlothian.org (520km).