Lady’s 9 Things to Do in Dunbar, Scotland

Today I want to share about my favorite things to do in Dunbar, Scotland. This town on the North Sea coast in East Lothian is an under-the-radar gem, and it’s worth a special trip.

Things to Do in Dunbar

One thing I love about living in the UK is how many connections I discover to my own country. I grew up learning about the big ones, but since moving to London I’ve discovered a lot of the less obvious links.

One of them is the association between my home state of California and John Muir, a Scottish-born naturalist. I knew of Muir before, but didn’t realize he was born in Britain.

So today I’m traveling to John Muir’s birthplace in Scotland to explore the tie and discover as many things to do in Dunbar as I can.

Where is Dunbar, Scotland?

Dunbar is just 20 minutes by train from the Scottish capital and makes a perfect day trip from Edinburgh. But with its wild coastline and quiet town center, it feels much farther away.

1. Waterfront in Dunbar

John Muir grew up in Dunbar before moving abroad and eventually settling in California. Now that I’m here, it doesn’t take long to understand where his love of nature came from.

The rocky cliffs along the coast remind me of their stunning counterparts back home in Big Sur, and the wide, sandy beaches in John Muir Country Park are reminiscent of the beauties in San Diego (and dotted with surfboards just like in Santa Cruz).

In the port, colorful boats bob with the tide while the ruins of a medieval castle look on with silent stoicism. Up the hill, the high street is full of shops and cafes, but also home to a museum housed in John Muir’s birthplace.

2. John Muir Birthplace in Dunbar

Visiting the museum is one of the best things to do in Dunbar. I explore the exhibits on Muir’s early life on the ground floor, then make my way upstairs to several rooms full of information and inspiration about his life and work.

Muir tirelessly campaigned for the establishment of California’s Yosemite National Park, one of the most famous parks in America.

He even camped with President Theodore Roosevelt there to persuade him to set aside land for people to experience nature. His efforts eventually led to the founding of the National Park Service two years after his death.

3. Coastal Path in Dunbar

Inspired by Muir’s life and passion, I leave the museum excited to discover the best things to do in Dunbar through his eyes.

Walking the coastal path, I soak up the spray of the water on the rocks and breathe in the fresh smell of the sea. I follow the rugged red cliffs as they drop off into little bays, and traverse rocky beaches as the land zigzags along the shore.

4. John Muir Country Park in Dunbar

Eventually I end up in John Muir Country Park, a huge expanse of woodland and beach with views up into the Firth of Forth towards the Isle of May.

I take a minute to imagine Muir here as a child exploring the natural beauty of his home town. I can’t help wondering if he had any idea how influential he would be in protecting natural treasures for future generations.

5. John Muir Day

And not just in America, either. Scotland celebrates John Muir Day each year on the anniversary of his birth. Festivities in town mark the occasion every April 21st.

6. John Muir Way

There’s also a 134-mile (215-kilometer) walking trail from Dunbar to the west coast of Scotland. It was christened the John Muir Way for the 100th anniversary of his death.

Walking part of the John Muir Way is a great way to celebrate his life, and one of the best outdoor things to do in Dunbar.

7. Restaurants in Dunbar

Heading back to the town center, I stop for lunch at a cozy restaurant called The Rocks. The combination of a warm fire in the fireplace and a dramatic red interior wins me over even before a good meal of mussels and seafood fills me up.

8. Side Streets in Dunbar

Back in the heart of Dunbar, I meander through the side streets, delighted by little details on houses and along the shore.

There’s a nautical theme here, from fishing nets and buoys hanging on houses to the cries of circling seabirds overhead.

9. Lighthouse Near Dunbar

I end my day trip with another of the fun things to do in Dunbar: drive out to one of the local lighthouses.

The lighthouse itself sits along a coastal path lined by big beaches. Here again I experience the same awe at nature’s beauty that Muir felt.

Best Things to Do in Dunbar, Scotland

As I leave Dunbar, I feel an enormous weight of gratitude for what John Muir did for my country, my state, and my own appreciation of nature.

I’ll never forget my first trip to Yosemite and the profound sense of wonder I felt there, nor will I take for granted the hours I spent falling in love with the outdoors as I roamed the open space preserve near my home as a child.

So since I can’t express my gratitude to John Muir himself, I will thank him by encouraging you to visit Dunbar and experience the passion he had for preserving nature for all of us to enjoy today.

There are a lot of great things to do in Dunbar that will inspire you to love the outdoors, too.

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