📌 Dunbar, East Lothian
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Dating to the 11th century, today’s Dunbar Castle is barely even recognisable as a defensive site. Which makes it even more surprising that it was once one of the most formidable strongholds in Scotland, surviving sieges from English armies during which Dunbar itself was often burnt to the ground. As centuries came and went, the castle gradually became more vulnerable, sometimes being set on fire and eventually being deliberately damaged to prevent occupation by hostile parties. The final nail in the coffin was the construction of Victoria Harbour, which involved blowing up parts of the surviving ruin. Nowadays kittiwakes use the crumbling walls as a breeding site each summer; access to the castle outcrop is blocked off, but the ruin is well seen from the harbourside. At the other end of the harbour, Dunbar Battery is now accessible to the public again following a major restoration project; this 18th century bastion (and later hospital) now acts as an interpretation hub and outside public art venue.
🌍 Location
📌 Either side of Victoria Harbour, 5-min walk north of Dunbar centre. Castle is at:
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 678793
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.005752,-2.517197
🚆🚌 Train / bus to Dunbar
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Always viewable (castle exterior only)
🎫 Free
🔗 Dunbar Battery: dunbarbattery.org.uk
