Aberlady Bay and Gullane Point

Summary

Aberlady Bay is a beautiful local nature reserve (the first in Britain when declared in 1952) and is renowned especially as a bird-watching venue. This circular walk heads through the reserve to take in the fine sandy beach before continuing to the village of Gullane and returning inland. Note that dogs are not permitted on the nature reserve.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Paths, dunes and sandy beaches.

Public Transport

Bus to start, Aberlady or Gullane.

Start

Car park by footbridge at Aberlady Nature Reserve on A198. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 55m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT471804

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

There is a car park at the entrance to Aberlady Nature Reserve (where there is a large wooden footbridge) around 1km east of Aberlady village. The walk begins here, though it is possible to follow the roadside John Muir Way footpath if you wish to begin from the village. Start by crossing the picturesque wooden footbridge, noting the sign that dogs are not permitted on this first section. The excellent path continues ahead, soon leading into a tunnel through sea-buckthorn bushes.

Stage 2

The path swings right in the bushes and then emerges back into the open, passing to the right of Marl Loch. Continue across heathland for around another 750m until the path meets a grassy track (signed 'footpath') at a cross-roads of routes - turn left here along the grassy track. On the right is one of East Lothian's many links golf courses. At another junction where a path curves right keep straight ahead.

Stage 3

Finally the path crosses the dunes on the approach to the coast - stick between the marker posts to avoid spreading erosion. After crossing the highest dune head down onto the stunning sandy beach, and turn right along the sands. Continue to the far end of the beach where it becomes rockier, and take a path that heads up onto the low dunes to reach Gullane Point. From here a variety of paths continue eastwards, switching between the dunes and some smaller sandy beaches. Finally leave the beach by a path which climbs up steeply just to the right of some concrete defences from the Second World War.

Stage 4

Now follow a grassy track to the left above the clifftops - with the golf courses of Gullane on the right. The track cuts across the front of one of the tees so give way to any golfers playing shots, and then look out for a narrow path which forks left to continue along the clifftop. When this forks take the main right hand path, and then head left when it once more joins a track. Soon another junction is reached - now turn left onto a path signed for 'Gullane Bents'. This leads down towards the seaward side of the houses of Gullane, keeping to the left of a high stone wall. The prominent hill in the distance is North Berwick Law. Soon a road is reached; the walk can be extended here by the addition of the Gullane Bay circuit; otherwise, turn right along Sandy Loan between the walls to head into the village. Continue along the road, passing the ruined church of St Andrew - this dates back to the twelfth century but was replaced in the seventeenth.

Stage 5

At the main road in Gullane, turn left. Gullane has a long and varied history but today is an attractive and prosperous golf resort, with many fine houses - there are cafes and pubs if refreshments are needed. Otherwise, turn right into Saltcoats Road, which runs along the right hand edge of a green. Keep straight ahead at the end of the houses - again watching out for golfers playing shots - towards the farm buildings ahead. Once past the stone wall turn right onto the John Muir Way which is now followed back to the start. Follow the path by the wall and then ahead through a small gate. The surfaced path continues straight - look out for the ruins of Saltcoats Castle over to the left. The path eventually bends left and then right before emerging on the busy A198. Cross carefully to the far side and then turn left on the walkway. This follows the road back to the start of the walk.

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