Dunbar – Coasteering Along the Red Rock Coast
A few hours.
The route
Coasteering is a journey along the shore from the sea's side: swimming through gullies, scrambling over rocks and jumping into the water from ledges, as high or as low as you like.
Ocean Vertical guides small groups along the red rock coast by Dunbar from its base in the woods at Hedderwick Hill, then lunch is at the Creel on Dunbar's old harbour. It suits confident swimmers who fancy an adventure close to Edinburgh.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Blue Cabin by the Sea in Cockburnspath, 8 miles away. Sleeps 4.
Book Coasteering with Ocean Vertical
Book a coasteering date with Ocean Vertical online before you go, £75 a head at the time of writing, from April to December, with at least three people to run, and ring 01368 373848 to check ages and group size.
Book lunch at The Creel, Dunbar
Book a table at The Creel, Dunbar on 01368 650400 for after your coasteering (lunch noon to 2pm, dinner 5.30pm to 9pm, Tuesday to Saturday): it's often full, especially at the end of the week.
The day
Dunbar
Three hours with a guide, about two of them on the rocks and in the sea, every jump your own choice, then a warm seafood lunch by the harbour.
About four and a half hours
Ocean Vertical
Ocean Vertical's base is at Hedderwick Hill Stables, in the woods just west of Dunbar. From the A1, take the Thistly Cross roundabout towards Dunbar and turn right on the A1087. After a couple of hundred metres turn left where it's signed Hedderwick Hill Farm, carry on past the residents-only sign, and follow the Ocean Vertical signs. Coasteering takes three hours in all, about two of them on the rocks and in the water, and you meet 20 minutes before. The guide picks the stretch of coast by the tide and the weather and drives you there, 10 to 20 minutes from the base. You swim, scramble and climb along the shore, and every jump is optional. It costs £75 a head at the time of writing and runs from April to December and needs at least three people to go ahead. Wetsuit, boots, helmet, gloves, buoyancy aid and rash vest are all provided; bring swimwear to wear underneath, a towel and a snack. There are toilets and changing at the base. Ring 01368 373848 to check the minimum age and group size before booking children. If the sea is unsafe they rebook, refund or give a voucher.
11 min by car
The Creel, Dunbar
Lunch
Lunch is at the Creel on Lamer Street, a few steps from Dunbar's old harbour and about 11 minutes' drive from the base. Park round the harbour, a few minutes' walk away. It's a small, simple room with old beams and white cloths, and the cooking is from East Lothian's sea and farms: scallops, crab and fish with mussels. It serves lunch from noon to 2pm and dinner from 5.30pm to 9pm, Tuesday to Saturday, so an afternoon session can end with supper instead. It's often full, so book on 01368 650400. If it's shut or full, the Volunteer Arms on Victoria Street opens every day from noon; ring 01368 862278 to check its kitchen.
If it rains
You're in the sea anyway, so rain matters less than wind and swell: Ocean Vertical picks a sheltered stretch or rebooks if it's unsafe. The Creel is warm and indoors.
The Creel, Dunbar, a restaurant in Dunbar.
Make it a weekend
More days out in East Lothian.
Photograph by Tim Moore via Google