48. Garvald

start: Dunbar
distance: 22 miles
OS map: 67

This is a fine route on quiet side-roads and excellent paths and tracks. Undulating at times but never too strenuous.

From the car-park at Belhaven (662 787) head southeast across the main road into Dunbar and on under the railway to the A1. Cross over heading for Bowerhouse and, forking right, continue to Pitcox (643 753). From here join the B6370 and continue to the scenic village of Stenton. Crying out for a pub this place!

On leaving Stenton fork left past the primary school to Ruchlaw Mains and follow a right fork to Stoneypath and on to Newmains. About a mile past Newmains turn left and continue to Stoneypath Tower (596 714). Beside the tower there is a path leading steeply down to a river. Follow this over a couple of bridges to Garvald. Pleasant village like Stenton but with pub (good food).

Leave Garvald heading northwest and rejoin the B6370 near Tanderlane. Turn right and after a mile or so turn left and after passing Papple turn left again (586 731) and head west. A mile further on a monument - 'Erected to the memory of James Maitland Balfour, Major Commandant of the East Lothian Yeomanry Cavalry' - is passed and after another mile turn right and continue to Standingstone. Just past the farm a track to the left is followed passing Traprain Law (good rock climbing) until it meets a side-road (575 748). Left and then first right leads to another track which passes the oddly named Hairy Craig and on to Hailes Castle, one of the oldest in Scotland.

From the castle a path leads down and across the River Tyne (576 760) and then by the North bank to East Linton. This path provides some excellent biking albeit if some steps necessitate a short carry.

From East Linton go via the B1407 to Preston Mill (597 779). Cross the river here follow the river downstream until a bridge is reached. Cross and follow the river by the North bank until a ford is reached. [note: this track, according to the map, should run along the south side of the river; in practice it only seems to be defined from Preston Mill to the bridge at (600 775). Check it, but you may wish to go round by the road. Ed.]

Cross the ford or use the bridge if the river is full and continue to Knowes. Turn left here and on reaching the A198 turn left again and then first right (614 782). Onwards to the John Muir Country Park and follow the coastal path round the wood and on to Belhaven Bay. This path is sandy in parts and can be avoided by going through the wood. It may be possible to cross the bay at low tide but if not simply follow the path back to the car park.

w k dodds, lauder

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