Dunbar Beach
East Lothian
Dunbar Beach (East Beach) is the main beach of the historic East Lothian harbour town of Dunbar, birthplace of the pioneering conservationist John Muir. The beach is wide and sandy, with the historic Dunbar Castle ruins and the striking Victoria Harbour providing a dramatic setting. Dunbar is a lively town with excellent cafes and pubs, and the John Muir Country Park begins at the western end of the beach and extends to Belhaven Bay.
East Lothian Council confirmed no dog bans at Dunbar Beach. Year-round unrestricted dog access. The John Muir Country Park to the west provides additional extensive walking.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- Year Round
- Beach Type
- Sand
- Tide Notes
- East-facing North Sea beach. Wide sands at low tide. Access to John Muir Country Park to the west.
- Facilities
- Full town amenities in Dunbar including cafes, pubs, shops. Public toilets. Dunbar Castle ruins. Victoria Harbour
- Parking
- Car parks in Dunbar near the harbour and beach. £3 day ticket for East Lothian coastal car parks
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Dunbar Beach, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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What’s Nearby?
Walk0.2 mi awayJohn Muir Way: Dunbar Coastal Section
Edinburgh
A dramatic clifftop section of the John Muir Way near Dunbar, tracing rugged coastal paths above the North Sea.
Beach0.9 mi awayBelhaven Beach
East Lothian
One of East Lothian's finest beaches in the John Muir Country Park, featuring the famous Bridge to Nowhere, year-round unrestricted dog access and excellent country park walking.
Beach3.7 mi awayThorntonloch Beach
East Lothian
A quiet, remote sandy beach south of Dunbar with year-round unrestricted dog access and genuine solitude, largely unknown to visitors despite its excellent beach quality.
Walk4.8 mi awayPressmennan Wood and Lake
East Lothian
An ancient woodland walk with plenty of off-lead freedom for dogs, circling one of only four lakes in Scotland with a carved sculpture trail.
Walk5.4 mi awayWhitekirk Circular
East Lothian
A gentle circuit from the medieval pilgrimage church at Whitekirk, with easy going for dogs and views to the Lammermuirs and Bass Rock.
Walk5.5 mi awayTyninghame, Binning Wood and Smeaton from East Linton
East Lothian
A varied East Lothian circuit from East Linton through Binning Wood to Tyninghame, with river paddling and woodland sniffs for dogs along the way.