Visit Dunbar in 2024, a vibrant town on the east coast of Scotland, just 20 minutes by train to Edinburgh. Stay at the Dolphin Inn which is just 2 minutes from the rail station which is on the East Coast mainline. Buses also leave Dunbar regularly so you can explore all around East Lothian with its beautiful coastline, tourist attractions and water based adventure sports.

The Dolphin Inn is a 5 star, 27 bed hostel with private rooms and shared facilities, it is a perfect base for a holiday in south eastern Scotland or a stopping off point for a few days on your way up to the Highlands and Islands.

The town is very accessible by road, rail and bus and the hostel is right in the town centre just minutes from the bus stops and train station. There is free parking in the streets near to the hostel for those who arrive by car. Situated on a number of long distance routes* many people also arrive here on foot or wheels and we have lots of secure bike storage in our outdoor courtyard.

Dunbar itself is an historic town with plenty of attractions, local activities and adventure sports so it is easy to fill a few days to a week in the town. It was the birthplace of John Muir, the environmentalist and founding father of America’s national parks and the Birthplace Museum is well worth a visit. There are beautiful beaches to wander, shops to explore and a huge range of activities to fill your day from golf, pétanque and tennis to surfing, wakeboarding and boat trips to the Bass Rock and Isle of May to spot seabirds (including puffins).

Dunbar is also the location of the 300 year old Belhaven Brewery and tours are really popular. If you have younger children they will enjoy visiting the East Links Family Park and John Muir Alpacas as well as Foxlake Adventures – all accessible by bus.

Edinburgh is a short day trip from here so many people use the hostel as a base to visit Scotland’s capital city with both buses and trains departing regularly for the city centre. This beautiful city is busiest during the August Festivals but it is a brilliant place to visit all year round. From Edinburgh there are also easy train trips to all parts of Scotland including Glasgow which is a quick connection and just 50 minutes from Edinburgh.

So, if you like to combine city and coast Dunbar is a perfect base for a holiday. Find out more about the town at wwww.ourdunbar.com and www.60thingsdunbar.scot.

See you soon.

* John Muir Way (Helensburgh to Dunbar), Coasts and Castles (Newcastle to Edinburgh), Forth to Farne (North Berwick to Lindisfarne), Southern Upland Way (Portpatrick to Cockburnspath, we are a short bus ride from Co’path).

The Dolphin Inn, located in Dunbar in East Lothian, is just 20 minutes train ride from Edinburgh and a great base for an active seaside holiday.

East Lothian is one the best places to visit in Scotland, close to the border with England and a short distance from Edinburgh city centre it is an area of stunning coastline, woodland walks and hills to the south. The Dolphin Inn hostel opened in Dunbar in the Summer of 2021 and offers a great base for adventure and exploration in this beautiful part of Scotland.

There is so much to do in the area that we put together a website, www.60thingsdunbar.scot to showcase everything in one place. If you are planning a trip to Scotland this year, Dunbar is a great location for a holiday or as a short stay over on the way further north. But why chose Dunbar over other places in the south of Scotland?

Well, for a start it is very accessibly positioned on the east coast main trainline just over the Scottish border, midway between Edinburgh and Berwick Upon Tweed so there is no need to drive. The town is also well served by bus routes and sits alongside the A1 so if you do bring your car it is 10 mins from this main road to the town centre and coast.

Then there’s the weather, with Dunbar (fondly known as Sunny Dunny), being the sunniest place in Scotland which means the weather tends to be much more predictable than other parts of Scotland.

Dunbar is a historic town with lots of charm within its conservation area and its three active harbours and castle ruins. It was the birthplace of John Muir, the famous American naturalist and there is a museum honouring his life and contribution to environmentalism. It is also at the end of the John Muir Way, a great coast to coast walk or cycle from Helensburgh. (Dunbar is also on the Coasts & Castles cycle route from Newcastle).

There are two beaches and three harbours within walking distance of the town centre and the sea offers great opportunities for water sports (surfing, coasteering, SUP and swim as well as local sailing, diving and rowing clubs). Boat tours depart the main harbour for the bird watching hotspots of the Bass Rock and Isle of May.

If you don’t fancy sea based activities then Foxlake Adventures just outside the town offers alternative water based activities; wakeboarding, Ringo rides and aqua park courses. For younger kids there is also the excellent East Links Family Park with its animals, mini train and wide range of other activities.

The centre of the town boasts many attractions including a large indoor swimming pool, tennis club, two golf courses, petanque and a putting course as well as gyms, playparks and sport pitches. The broad historic High Street is full of local independent shops, cafes and two museums – everything is within walking distance from the town centre.

Our retro vintage styled hostel, the Dolphin Inn, is a short walk from the station, High Street, beach and harbours. It has a large family room with room for up to six children, double ensuites as well as twins and a triple room. There is secure cycle storage in the large courtyard and a few bikes for free loan – most attractions are in walking distance and Dunbar is generally flat so easy to get around. There are plenty of local bus services so travelling around East Lothian is easy and it is a 20 minute train ride into Edinburgh city centre.

Find out more:

www.dolphindunbar.com

www.ourdunbar.com

www.60thingsdunbar.scot