Whitekirk Circular
East Lothian
This 4km circular is an East Lothian Council waymarked route starting at St Mary's Church in Whitekirk, a medieval pilgrimage site that once recorded over 15,000 visitors in a single year in the 1400s, with a fifteenth century tithe barn still standing nearby. Dogs are welcome on this gentle route, though sheep sometimes graze the farmland and pasture, so a lead is worth having ready. From the village the route climbs a lane onto a grass path and through a small resort site, following a signed circuit past ponds and a small wood to a hilltop with views over the Lammermuir Hills, North Berwick Law and the Bass Rock. Refreshments are available around two-thirds of the way round at a cafe on Whitekirk Hill. The return descends through gorse and past the old tithe barn back into the village. The going is gentle throughout with one steeper lane near the start.
This dog friendly walk is an easy outing with genuine off-lead scope on the quieter grass paths and hilltop stretches, away from the small resort site partway round. The route crosses farmland in places, so keep dogs close where sheep may be grazing, and there is no significant water source, so carry some for your dog in summer. The cafe on Whitekirk Hill sits directly on the path, a natural halfway stop. There are no toilets on the route. Parking is limited to the roadside near the church, and Whitekirk has no other facilities, so fill up beforehand in North Berwick or East Linton.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 25 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Cafe on Whitekirk Hill, directly on the route; no toilets.
- Parking
- Roadside parking near St Mary's Church, Whitekirk; no dedicated car park.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Whitekirk Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Byre At Brothershiels
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £673 / 7 nights
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whitekirk Circular dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the Whitekirk Circular and it earns a solid 7/10 for dog friendliness. The 4km waymarked route is gentle throughout, making it a manageable outing for most dogs, though you'll want a lead handy as sheep sometimes graze the farmland sections.
Can dogs be off lead at Whitekirk Circular?
There is genuine off-lead scope on the quieter grass paths and the hilltop stretches, where the route opens up with views over the Lammermuir Hills, North Berwick Law and the Bass Rock. You'll want to keep dogs on the lead around the small resort site partway round and wherever sheep may be grazing on the farmland sections.
What should I know before visiting Whitekirk Circular with my dog?
There's no significant water source along the route, so it's worth bringing your own water for your dog, particularly in summer. Parking is limited to the roadside near St Mary's Church and there are no toilets on the route, so it's a good idea to stock up on anything you need in North Berwick or East Linton beforehand. On the plus side, the cafe on Whitekirk Hill sits directly on the path at roughly two-thirds of the way round — a handy stop for refreshments.
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