Yellowcraig Beach circuit, from Dirleton

Summary

Yellowcraig must rank as one of the finest beaches in East Lothian, a stunning stretch of sand with views to the islands of Fidra, Craigleith and the Bass rock. It is the main draw of this excellent circular walk beginning from the picturesque village of Dirleton, famed for its grand castle. The return passes through some of Scotland's most exclusive housing developments.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Tracks and paths when inland, dune paths and sandy beach at the coast.

Getting there

Start

Dirleton Castle car park.

Public Transport

Bus to Dirleton.

Start Grid Ref

NT514838

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.85km / 5 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 55m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorer 351 - Dunbar

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

Want to sponsor this route?

Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Start the walk from the Castle car park in Dirleton, behind the toilets. The castle is hidden from view behind a high wall; there is an admission charge to visit it. The walk starts by following the John Muir Way from the picturesque village centre to reach the coast. Begin by crossing the main road and heading up Manse Road, past the pub. Keep straight ahead on Manse Road at the cross-roads, then take the main fork right past the second green and its memorial, with a view towards the pretty church.

Stage 2

Keep straight on, continuing as a track when the tarred road bends right. The track continues through fields to a signed junction, where the main route bends right - ignore this and continue straight ahead, signed for Yellowcraig. Stay on the John Muir Way, which dog legs left and then right to run through a narrow band of trees that shields the houses of Archerfield.

Stage 3

The path emerges at a T-junction with a track (with Yellowcraig car park and toilets just to the right). Turn left on the track and follow it towards the dunes - with the lighthouse on the island of Fidra visible ahead. Ignore the signed turning for the John Muir Way off to the right and continue ahead, eventually reaching the beach. Follow the grassy path which soon runs along the dunes to the left, with the fine sandy beach on your right. Looking back along the coastline, the massive bulk of the Bass Rock can be seen, together with the steep isolated conical hill of North Berwick Law.

Stage 4

Directly out at sea is the island of Fidra and its lighthouse. Robert Louis Stevenson spent many of his holidays in North Berwick and many claim that Fidra was part of the inspiration for Treasure Island. Continue along the coastal path, which soon leads to another sandy beach backed by a line of pine trees - behind which is King's Cairn, one of Scotland's most exclusive modern housing developments. Continue on the path behind the beach.

Stage 5

At the far end of the bay the path continues, passing between the sea on your right and some more impressive houses on your left. Eventually the path reaches an old concrete lookout from World War Two.

Stage 6

A short distance further on a path junction is reached. The right hand path leads eventually to wooden steps and the shoreline, linking with the Gullane Bay walk except at highest tide. Our circular route, through, turns sharp left. The signposted footpath zig-zags uphill through woodland.

Stage 7

When the path reaches a tarmac lane, go straight across. Soon the path comes alongside another tarmac lane - and continues to run parallel to it on the right, winding through the trees. There are views over the Archerfield Golf Club towards the Bass Rock off left. The path joins an earthy track, and then crosses a parking / utility area, still keeping parallel to the road on your left. Eventually it meets the road at a junction by some big wooden houses - go straight across onto the road opposite (signed for The Village, Residents only) - use the pavement on the right side. When the houses of Archerfield are reached turn right onto a grassy path into the trees, then straight ahead onto a path between fields. The outward route is rejoined - turn right to head back to Dirleton and the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?