Overlooking a 16th-century harbour, Dunbar is located in East Lothian where the Firth of Forth meets the North Sea. It’s famed as the birthplace of the explorer and conservationist John Muir and lies on “Scotland’s Golf Coast”, offering several historic clubs and courses to play.
Things to do in Dunbar
Learn about the life and legacy of one of the world’s greatest naturalists at John Muir’s Birthplace where his father operated a successful grain and food store in the early 19th century. Its exhibits tell the story of his childhood exploring the rugged coastline of East Lothian and his years in the American wilderness. The museum is the starting point of the John Muir Way, a 215-kilometre-long hiking and cycling route that connects to Helensburgh.
Nearby is the Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery, which houses changing historical and art exhibitions. It occupies a 16th-century building topped by a witch’s hat tower that houses Scotland's oldest functioning council chamber. Just below the chamber is a jail with an immense iron door and prisoners’ graffiti adorning its walls.
On the eastern edge of town is the Dunbar Golf Club, a picturesque Scottish links course that offers magnificent views of the North Sea. Established in 1856, it has attracted some of the world’s greatest players, including James Braid, Tom Morris and Steve Elkington. On the other side of town is the Winterfield Golf Club, an 18-hole course overlooking Bass Rock and the Isle of May.
Getting around Dunbar
Dunbar is around 40 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh and 45 minutes from Edinburgh Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Dunbar railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Dunbar can easily be explored on foot.