Yellowcraig Beach

Yellowcraig Beach sits in a sheltered bay on the East Lothian coast, combining golden sand with grassy dunes and views across the Firth of Forth to Fidra Island — said to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. The beach has a well-managed, family-friendly character with a barbecue area and nature trail in the woodland behind, but the sand itself is spacious and natural-feeling. The sheltered aspect and dune-backed setting give it a more contained feel than the exposed East Lothian beaches further along the coast.

Dogs are welcome off-lead year-round on this versatile dog friendly beach, and the combination of sand, grass, and dune terrain provides varied walking within a compact area. The sheltered bay means calm conditions at virtually all tide states, and the woodland behind the beach adds shaded walking and rich scenting opportunities. Clear sightlines across the beach make it easy to keep track of dogs, and the proximity to the car park means this works well for shorter visits as well as longer outings. A reliable, well-rounded East Lothian option that delivers consistently good beach time.