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Town in East Lothian, Scotland
Photo: Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Dunbar is a harbour town in East Lothian, on the south-east coast of central Scotland. In 2021 its population was 10,400.
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Photographic displays of the history of the burgh. Local historic documents can be researched here.
This museum in the house where John Muir was born describes the life, work, and achievements of the renowned environmentalist.
Stump of what was once among the strongest fortresses in Scotland. After various assaults it was "slighted" in 1567 to prevent use by rebels, and the construction of the Victorian harbour carved through it. The miniature cod-castle at its foot was built in 1913 to measure mean sea level, the reference point for Ordnance Survey maps. It's now the Harbourmaster's office.
Twin Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors, pushing 600 MW apiece into the National Grid since 1988, and planned to continue to 2030. You can simply drop into the visitor centre, but you'll get much more from joining an organised tour (minimum age 8), which needs to be booked 3-4 weeks in advance.
Council-run swimming pool with flumes and wave pool. Also has a sauna, steam room and gym.
Established 1856 and open all year, this links course was designed by the renowned Old Tom Morris. 18 holes from yellow tees 6196 yards, par 71. It's busy whenever the Open is held at nearby Gullane, as it's used for qualifying rounds.
On the coast west side of town, yellow tees 4817 yards, par 65.
Eat-in and takeaway Indian restaurant.
Local seafood restaurant with more formal dining.
Lovely traditional bar overlooking the harbour, with an upstairs restaurant and an outside seating area for sunny days.
Welcoming dog-friendly bar and restaurant: it's an independent "free house", close to Belhaven Brewery but not associated with it.
A large brewery dating from 1719 and owned since 2005 by Greene King, it brews a range of cask, draught and bottled Scottish ales.
Great reviews for this smartly renovated place in town centre.
Simple friendly hotel. Meals W-F evenings, Sa, Su all day.
Pleasant trad small hotel near castle.
Welcoming, well-run hotel in Victorian building, with 1902 Restaurant.
Large well-stocked supermarket on the main road south edge of town. Filling station prices here are about the best you'll get in East Lothian.
Sourced Scottish produce, milk, meat, cheese, global wines & Spirits, Single malts & gins.
The Community Bakery grew out of an initiative by local residents in Dunbar, who came together following the closure of the last local bakery in 2008, leading to the opening of the bakery in 2011, which was funded through community shares. It offers a wide range of pies, rolls, scones, cakes and bread, as well as hot and cold drinks. At peak times, there’s a queue on the pavement. There are two small tables inside (though not very cosy when it’s busy) and two benches in front of the shop windows.
By bicycle
Cyclists may use the A1 at this point, but from Edinburgh must use the old road A199 alongside until Dunbar.
By bus
East Coast Bus X7 runs along A1 between Edinburgh and Dunbar, every 30 minutes M-F and hourly Sa Su, taking 80 min.
By rail
Dunbar is on the East Coast Mainline from London King's Cross to Edinburgh, but those trains just flash through.
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Ingliston, Edinburgh · International · EDI
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