North Berwick to Dunbar | John Muir Way

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Overview

Distance:

15 miles, 24 km

Average time to complete:

5 hours' walking, 2.5 hours' cycling

Description

Leaving North Berwick southwards provides you with an opportunity to climb Berwick Law, giving great views of the town, Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, Tantallon Castle and the Bass Rock. Berwick Law has always sported whale jawbones and when the last ones decayed, fibre-glass replicas were installed. After a few miles on country tracks and quiet roads you’ll reach the popular village of East Linton, whose National Trust for Scotland attractions of the Phantassie Doocot and Preston Mill are well worth a look. You now follow the Tyne for a while, until the Way takes you onward to the coast and beaches of John Muir Country Park, before reaching Dunbar. Head for John Muir's Birthplace Museum as this marks the finish of the route.

Terrain

For this section the route takes you along grass tracks, gravel paths and quiet roads. There are some steps and inclines, which are steepest near Dunbar in the vicinity of the cliff-tops. Berwick Law is a steep climb but this is an optional highlight. There are toilets in John Muir Country Park, East Linton and Dunbar itself. The cycling braid has a short section of 1.4Km across fields between Blackdyke and Whitekirk. Known as ‘Becky’s Strip’, this hilly path is apt to be muddy during and after wet weather, with poor traction especially for road tyres. Expect to dismount and push. It can be avoided by using local roads. Public transport Space for bicycles on trains from Dunbar may be limited so we advise you book spaces in advance.

Alerts

Rutted and muddy path near East Links Family Park

Please take care on a short stretch of muddy path following forestry operations - this can be avoided by walking through the adjacent woodland.

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Getting There

By rail: there is a rail service between Edinburgh Waverley and Dunbar. If taking bikes, be sure to book spaces in advance as they are limited.

By bus: there is a local service linking North Berwick and Dunbar as well as the X7 Edinburgh-Dunbar bus route.

By car: there is parking (pay and display) in the centre of North Berwick and for free at the foot of North Berwick Law. In Dunbar there is some on-street parking and a car park at the swimming pool.

Points of interest

Route Terminus

The route ends or starts at the statue of young John Muir outside the John Muir Birthplace Museum.

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John Muir's Birthplace Museum, Dunbar

Start or finish your John Muir Way adventure by exploring the life and legacy of John Muir in the house where he was born. Completed the route? Claim your John Muir Way certificate here.

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Tantallon Castle

Set on the edge of the cliffs, looking out to the Bass Rock, this formidable castle was a stronghold of the Douglas family. Ascend Tantallon’s towers for spectacular views of the Bass Rock and to watch gannets plunge into the North Sea. Then descend into the depths of a particularly grim pit prison.

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Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot

Preston Mill, with its distinctive Dutch-style conical roof, was East Lothian’s last working water mill. Nearby is the beehive-shaped Phantassie Doocot, with its French-style horseshoe parapet, built in the 16th century to house 500 pigeons.

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North Berwick Law

Berwick or North Berwick Law is a small local hill, 187m high and just off the John Muir Way. It gives superb views over East Lothian and the Forth.

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National Museum of Flight

Discover some of the icons of air travel, including Concorde and a Red Arrows Hawk.

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John Muir Country Park

The John Muir Country Park is named after the famous naturalist and geologist who was born in Dunbar. The park offers several woodland and beach walks and is home to a wide variety of birds, plants, butterflies and moths.

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Foxlake Adventures

Scotland's first cable wakeboarding park also has zip lines, off-road segways, a cafe and more.

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Dunbar Harbour

The harbour is popular with fishing boats and leisure craft in the summer, and with a range of festivals and events in the town it provides a fantastic destination from both land and sea.

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Coastal Communities Museum

John Muir spent his childhood in the seaside town of Dunbar. Learn about the customs and livelihoods of the people who would have lived beside Muir in Dunbar and other East Lothian seaside villages.

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