Head from the centre of Musselburgh out around the Firth of Forth and Levenhall Links before returning past the racecourse. The walk is popular with birdwatchers, both for the sea birds on the Firth and the roosting birds on the ash lagoons of the links.
Bog Factor
Good tracks throughout.
Tolbooth, Musselburgh High Street.
Bus to Musselburgh.
NT346727
The walk begins from the centre of Musselburgh; there is parking on the wide section of the High Street and also nearby. The town dates back to the Roman occupation and is thus one of the oldest in Scotland; its finest building is the Tolbooth which was built in 1590, though the clock is a century older. Begin the walk by heading west along the High Street towards the river.
Turn right at the memorial fountain just before the bridge over the River Esk to follow the path downriver. There are some fine houses on the opposite bank, and several footbridges - do not cross but instead continue ahead, joining the route of the John Muir Way. When the road ends the route continues as a well-made path, passing to the right of an army cadet force building and a large concrete arrow on the ground which was used to help train bomber crews to line up with a target in the Firth of Forth. The path soon merges with a large track by the sea wall. Looking left along the coastline there is a striking view back to Edinburgh, with Arthur's Seat prominent.
Continue along the track; the area on the right was reclaimed from the sea, with ash lagoons created as a repository for the waste coal ash from now demolished Cockenzie power station which used to stand further along the coast. Part of this area - Levenhall Links - has since become a nature reserve as the lagoons make a roost for waders and other sea birds.
Continue ahead along the track, and later on a path alongside. At one point a path on the right heads into the bird reserve, but our route continues ahead until a John Muir Way signpost indicates where to turn right along a path. After this ignore the next fork off to the right and continue until a minor road is reached with parking to the right. At this point leave the John Muir Way, turning right along the lane and keeping ahead onto a track when the road bends left after 300m.
Keep straight ahead through a gate when the main track swings right (it leads to the car park for the bird reserve). The path now continues alongside Musselburgh racecourse (with several holes of Musselburgh Old Course golf club in the centre). Keep straight on, eventually emerging on a road at the far end, beyond the racecourse buildings. Turn left along this, then keep straight ahead at the street junction. Keep an eye out for the Musselburgh Old Course Golf Clubhouse on the right, with carvings of early champions set into the walls. When a T junction is reached turn right, then second left and finally left again to return to the High Street. The Tolbooth at the start of the walk is along this to the left.
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