Gullane Beach (Bents)

  • Gullane Beach - Lothian
    © michael ely and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Gullane Beach - Lothian
    © Strevo and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Gullane Beach - Lothian
    © Richard Webb and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Gullane Beach - Lothian
    © ptwo and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Gullane Beach - Lothian
    © StartAgain and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Gullane Beach - Lothian
    © ptwo and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Gullane Beach - Lothian
    © ptwo and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • The town of Gullane in East Lothian is best known for its golf courses, however it also boasts a magnificent sandy beach with excellent views out onto the Firth of Forth. The beach is popular for windsurfing and kite flying when the weather is windy, and for picnics, family days out and sand castle building on warm, sunny days.

    There are plenty of places to walk in the area including a path behind the beach which leads through the sand dunes. To the west, visitors can walk to Gullane Point from where there are spectacular views over Gullane Bay and The Firth of Forth beyond.

    Pay-for parking is provided at Gullane Bents, from which the beach is accessed down a short path.

    The nearby town of Gullane has a large retirement community and is also home to a number of commuters. It has numerous shops, pubs, restaurants and places to stay. There are also 3 golf courses in the vicinity, including the famous Muirfield Golf Club, but visitors will have to book in advance if they want to be certain to play.

    Also known as:

    Bents

    Type of beach

    Sandy

    Lifeguard service

    No

    Dogs friendly beach?

    Dogs allowed

    Dogs allowed on the beach all year round

    Lothian dog friendly beaches »

    Activities

    • Kayaking/canoeing
    • Wind surfing

    Facilities

    • Cafe/restaurant
    • Toilets
    • Disabled facilities
    • First aid point
    • Shop

    Nearest town

    North Berwick

    Postcode

    EH31 2BE

    OS grid ref.

    NT 4758 8332

    Parking

    Pay parking

    Water quality

    Water quality star rating

    Awards

    Marine Conservation Society RecommendedBeach Awards

    Submit a correction

    Gullane Beach Reviews

    Our favourite walking/swimming/sunbathing/pebble picking beach

    Paul Millar
    Sep 03rd 2019

    This beach (and other neigbouring beaches)  flanked by rocks is a blessing for the townies from the nearby (40 min.) Edinburgh. Our daughter, when swimming there, about twenty yards from the shore, was close inspected by a curious seal (...’‘what do YOU do here, human????’‘). And more: our favourite pub in Gullane does superb fish and chips and other food, and a prime selection of beers. ....(it seems that this site prefers American spelling…..)

    A beautiful beach destroyed

    Catherine Butler-Burns
    Jul 29th 2022

    It makes me very sad and angry to see Gullane beach used as a dogs toilet.
    IF dog owners do lift the dog excrement, and many do not, they seem to think it is okay to deposit the plastic bags in the bushes on the paths leading to and from the beach. This evening the stench of dog excrement was the first thing to greet me as I entered the path to the beach.

    Dogs should not be allowed on Beaches used by swimmers.
    It’s not allowed in France an Ireland AND PROBABLY MANY MORE COUNTRIES.
    THERE IS PLENTY OF SPACE IN THE DUNES FOR DESIGNATED EXERCISE AREAS FOR DOGS.