Gullane Bay & Hanging Rocks Caves

Summary

Gullane Bay is one of East Lothian's magnificent sandy beaches; this enjoyable walk crosses the bay and continues round the headland to more secluded sandy beaches. The objective is a couple of caves at Hanging Rocks, which were once inhabited.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Sandy beach, dune and woodland paths; tracks and pavement on return.

Getting there

Start

Gullane Bents car park.

Public Transport

Bus to Gullane; short walk from west end of village to Bents car park.

Start Grid Ref

NT476831

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 9.75km / 6 miles
Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 82m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

The walk begins from Gullane Bents car park which is signed from the main road through the village. Start by taking the path from beside the information boards that leads down onto the fine sandy beach. Turn right along the sands to the eastern end of the bay.

Stage 2

At this point the going becomes stony for a short distance before a grassy path continues right by the shoreline. The path winds between the boulders at Black Rocks, passing behind a smaller sandy beach.

Stage 3

Continue, soon reaching some stone ruins with a good view across the next bay. There's a path heading back here through the dunes and sea buckthorn, but our route continues, crossing the next sandy bay.

Stage 4

The next section has some higher, grassy dunes; you can either keep to the shore, or follow a path atop the dunes depending on the state of the tide. After a pebble beach the lighthouse on Fidra comes into view. After passing Eyebroughty a more sheltered sandy beach is reached.

Stage 5

Towards the far end of this beach are the Hanging Rocks, where the two caves are to be found. At high tide they become inaccessible, and even without a high tide it's a bit of a steep sandy scramble up to reach them, either side of a projecting crag; take care if visiting as the caves can be dangerous. The cave on the west side is shallow, that on the east is deeper and with a stone wall offering additional protection. Evidence has been found of human habitation here dating back to the Iron Age.

Stage 6

It is possible - unless the tide is high - to ascend the wooden steps below the rocks to link with the Yellowcraigs walk. For the circuit, though, retrace steps briefly to the centre of the beach, then head inland to visit the prominent cairn. This is a memorial to a plane crash, incorporating part of the remains.

Stage 7

Take the signposted grassy path that climbs up behind the memorial. When it forks, take the left branch. It approaches and passes a shelter belt of trees, then turns right along the far side of the shelter belt. There are views across the exclusive Archerfield golf courses. The path soon joins a track and continues by the trees. When it nears a tarmac lane, turn right to stay on a track (signposted). Keep on the main track at two further forks, eventually passing through a gate to join a tarmac lane with a gatehouse cottage ahead. Turn left as signed behind the cottage, then right onto the John Muir Way trail just beyond. At this point there is a cafe at the walled garden which can be visited a short way to the left, but our walk turns right.

Stage 8

The route now follows the John Muir Way, keeping to the pavement beside the road to return to Gullane. Continue to reach the heart of the village, where there is a ruined church on the right. This is Old St Andrew’s and dates back to the twelfth century, but it was destroyed in a storm in 1612, forcing the congregation to move to Dirleton. Turn right here, heading along Sandy Loan until it meets Marine Terrace at a t-junction. Turn left here to return to the car park at the start.

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