Outdoor Activities

Apart from Golf and Cultural activities there are an awful lot of other things to do within 30 minutes or so of Oldhamstocks. Some of these activities are on dry land, others are slightly damper...

Archery

Scottish Archery Centre, Fenton Barns, North Berwick
Telephone: + 44(0)1620 850401
Website: www.scottisharcherycentre.co.uk

Open by arrangement. Visitors can try archery, crossbow and air rifle all indoors. There's also a small museum. All disciplines under supervision and instruction.

Cycling

There are many well marked cycle paths, routes and networks across East Lothian allowing safe and enjoyable cycling for all abilities. Ordnance Survey maps - Landranger 66 and 67 will give you comprehensive information to help plan routes with paths and tourist sites clearly marked.

There are also specific cycle tour maps that have planned routes to follow. Below are two, which feature recommended routes in East Lothian:

Cycling in Edinburgh & South East Scotland (Collins) 2001
Tranent and Pencaitland - 'easy' (15miles)
Holyrood / Musselburgh / Portobello - 'easy' (15.5miles)
Musselburgh to Haddington - 'moderate' (33miles)
Dunbar to Haddington - 'strenuous' (34miles)
North Berwick - 'moderate' (38miles)
Dalkeith, Gifford, Lammermuir Hills - 'moderate' (40miles)

Cycle Tours around Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders (Philips) Nick Cotton 2002
Haddington to North Berwick - 'easy' (30miles)
Dunbar to the Lammermuir Hills - 'strenuous' (32miles)

Below are websites containing practical information on cycling in Scotland:

www.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk
www.forestry.gov.uk
www.ctc.org.uk

Fishing

East Lothian offers both fresh water and sea fishing:

Fresh Water

Hopes Reservoir, Near Gifford
Permits available from the Goblin Ha' Hotel, Gifford
Telephone: + 44 (0)1620 810244
Brown Trout. Open Monday to Sunday. Boat season March to September.

Markle Fisheries, Markle, East Linton
Telephone: + 44 (0)1620 861213
Email: info@marklefisheries.com
Three spring fed lochs offering bank fly-fishing, stocked with Rainbow and Brown Trout.

River Tyne, Haddington
For information on permits, maps, advice and news related to fishing on the River Tyne, visit the East Lothian Angling Association's website at www.elaa.co.uk

Sea Fishing

Dunbar Harbour, Harbour Master
Telephone: + 44 (0)1368 865404

'Fisher Lassie'
Telephone: + 44 (0)1368 864441
Fishing trips operating from Dunbar harbour - seasonal spring to late autumn. Party size maximum of 12 people. Rods and bait can be supplied at extra charge.

North Berwick Harbour, Harbour Master
Telephone: + 44 (0)1620 893333

Horse Riding

Appin Equestrian Centre, Drem, North Berwick
Telephone: + 44 (0)1620 880366
British Horse Society approved equestrian centre. Large indoor arena, qualified staff, tuition at all levels; novice, dressage / show jumping lessons (private or class) to suit individual requirements on well schooled horses / ponies.

Harelaw Equestrian Centre, No. 2 Harelaw Farm Cottages, Harelaw, Longniddry
Telephone: + 44 (0)1875 853559
Trekking, hacking, tuition - specialising in beach rides for experienced riders.

Whiteloch Farm Riding & Trekking Stables, Whiteloch Farm, Macmerry
Telephone: + 44 (0)1875 613662
Riding instruction for all standards. Particularly welcoming to novice and nervous riders. A reputation for being experienced, safe and friendly.

Trekking and riding in Scotland website www.ridinginscotland.com

Walking

One of Scotland's finest walks starts/finishes in East Lothian. It's also one of Britain's best kept secrets. See www.southernuplandway.com for full details.

East Lothian has an excellent network of paths, bridal ways and cycle routes along the coastline and inland. 43 miles of magnificent coastline from south of Dunbar to Fisherrow Harbour, Musselburgh. Five Blue Flag awarded beaches making East Lothian one of Scotland's cleanest coastlines. In addition, the surrounding countryside is criss-crossed with paths and woodland with fabulous and accessible walking in the Lammermuir Hills.

Ranger Walks - East Lothian council puts together a programme of outdoor activities. For information on organised walks and other activities telephone + 44 (0)1620 827421.

Below are some recommended walks. These walks were compiled by Jim Crumley, and were published in a handy booklet called 'Short Walks in East Lothian'. Unfortunately, the guide is out of print, but luckily the walks are not. To make life easier, use Ordnance Survey maps Landranger 66 and 67.

'The Coast'

Musselburgh to Levenhall Links.
Prestonpans tide path.
North Berwick and the Bass Rock.
Dunbar to Hedderwick and East Linton.
White Sands to Thorntonloch.

'The Heartland'

Pencaitland Railway.
Haddington and the Tyne.
Haddington and Longniddry railway.
Hailes Castle to Traprain Law.

'The High Ground'

Pressmennan Wood.
The Lammermuir Hills.

'Countryside'

Traprain Law
Traprain Law is one of East Lothian's best known landmarks. The site is the largest hill fort in Scotland and is second only in size to that of Maiden Castle in Dorset.

North Berwick Law
A very prominent local landmark. A conical hill 613 feet in height, which provides a marvelous view of the coast and countryside. A tall arch formed from the jawbone of a whale surmounts the Law.

John Muir Country Park
This parkland and beach area is one part of East Lothian which must be visited. The views are stunning any time of the year. 733 hectare Country Park extends 8 miles from Dunbar Castle along the cliffs. There is a cliff top trail taking you from Dunbar Harbour to Winterfield Golf Course and then leading on to the park itself. During the summer months the Countryside Ranger guides groups along the trail and at all times there are guide posts which help people to appreciate the magnificent views to the Isle of May, the Bass Rock and the hills to the south. Angling, cycling, horse riding, kite flying, running, surfing, walking and windsurfing also found here.

Water sports

There are a number of water sport activities that take place along the East Lothian coastline. It is always recommended that tide times and weather conditions be checked before venturing out. Listed below are some of the popular beaches and coast areas of East Lothian.

Coast to Coast Adventure Sports
Coast to Coast offers you lessons in the art of surf riding. Based immediately on the coast in East Lothian they open seven days a week (depending on swell) and offer instruction in both surf riding and body boarding.
Telephone: + 44 (0)7971 990361
Email: surfing@c2cadventure.com

Dunbar Harbour, Harbour Master
Telephone: + 44 (0)1368 865404
Popular with skin divers in the summer months.

Gullane Bents
Gullane Bents has an impressive sandy beach backed by a wide expanse of dunes. The area has been popular since the start of the last Century.

Longniddry Bents
Longniddry Bents is a mecca for windsurfing.

Musselburgh / Fisherrow Harbour
Fisherrow Yacht Club
Telephone: + 44 (0)131 665 3155
Sailing, dinghies, water-skiing and windsurfing all take place here.

North Berwick Harbour and Beach, Harbour Master, North Berwick
Telephone: + 44 (0)1620 893333
The beach area south of the harbour is ideal for families. There is a small paddling pool to the left of the beach, next to the Seabird centre, very popular in the summer months.

The Bass Rock, lying 2 miles off the North Berwick coastline, is without doubt one of the most dramatic geological features in the United Kingdom. It has been described as one of the wildlife wonders of the world. It is the world's largest breeding colony of the gannet, a truly awesome sight and sound in the breeding season. 350 feet of sheer cliff is composed of igneous rock formed in the volcanic era. The Bass Rock can be circumnavigated by a summer boat service, from North Berwick harbour, which provides an opportunity to inspect the birds at closer quarters.

Bass Rock and Craigleith boat trip, North Berwick Harbour
Telephone: + 44 (0)1620 892838

Seacliff Beach
To the east of Tantallon (off the A198) is Seacliff Bay, one of the most attractive and secluded coastal areas in the district. The owner has provided facilities and a fee is levied for cars. From the beach there are views of the 'smallest harbour in Britain' and the Bass Rock.

Whitesands & Thorntonloch
This side of Dunbar lies a 4 mile stretch of coastline from Whitesands to Thorntonloch.

Yellowcraig Beach
On the coast, 2 miles west of North Berwick, the lands of Yellowcraig have developed into a natural coastal park of 94 acres. The area has a barbecue site (pre-bookable) and provides an opportunity to see a variety of habitats, including mature and recently established woodlands, dunes, links seashore and rocky outcrops. A nature trail runs up the east side of Yellowcraig.

Visitor Attractions

Belhaven Brewery, Dunbar
Telephone: + 44 (0)1368 869201
Website: www.belhaven.co.uk
Guided tour of Scotland's oldest surviving brewery dating back to 1719. Booking in advance is essential, either by telephone or online.

East Links Family Park
Off the A1087 heading into Dunbar
Telephone: + 44 (0)1368 863607
Website: www.eastlinks.co.uk
Learn about farming in a fun environment; there are many opportunities to see farm animals close at hand. Giant maze, train safari, tractor and trailer ride. Also, soft play, indoor play area and adventure playground. Open all year.

The Flag Heritage Centre, Main Street, Athelstaneford
Telephone: + 44 (0)1368 880297
Athestaneford is the birthplace of Scotland's national flag - the St. Andrews Cross or 'Saltire'. At the Saltire Memorial a flag is flown permanently (floodlit at night).
Open daily from April to September.

Glenkinchie Distillery Visitor Centre, Pencaitland
Telephone: + 44 (0)1875 342004
Website: www.malts.com
An exhibition of malt whisky is housed in this listed red brick building where you can enjoy a complementary dram in the distillery bar. Guided tours demonstrate the whole process of making whisky. Open throughout the year.

Raceland Karting, Upper Diamond, Gladsmuir
Telephone: + 44 (0)131 665 6525
Website: www.raceland.co.uk
Indoor and outdoor karting circuits. Hire karts to suit juniors and adults. Visitors and spectators welcome. Groups large and small, corporate event specialists.

Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield
Telephone: + 44 (0)1620 880308
Website: www.nms.ac.uk/flight/
Wide collection of aircraft - including Concorde - showing the history of aviation from airships to modern jets. Open throughout the year.

Musselburgh Racecourse, Linkfield Road, Musselburgh
Telephone: + 44 (0)131 665 2859
Website: www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk
Hosts over 20 race days throughout the year - both Flat and National Hunt meetings.

Scottish Seabird Centre, The Harbour, North Berwick
Telephone: + 44 (0)1620 890202
Website: www.seabird.org
Each year over 150,000 seabirds nest on the islands of the Firth of Forth, off the North Berwick coast, including more than 8,000 gannets on the Bass Rock. You can control remote cameras to explore the fascinating world of these amazing creatures. Open throughout the year.

An agency who will set up activities for you:

Mavis Hall Park Ltd., Humbie
Telephone: + 44 (0)1875 833733
Website: www.mavishallpark.co.uk
Tailor made activities packages to suit your requirements for groups of any size. Activities include clay pigeon shooting, off-road driving, quadbikes, archery, highland games and team building events.


Contact us: olivia@oldhamstockscottage.com