Musselburgh, East Lothian
★★
For anyone with time to spare around the so-called Honest Town of Musselburgh, this part-urban, part-rural walk is an excellent way to fill it. Our 7 mile circuit takes in many of the town’s highlights – the beach, riverside and Main Street – with Newhailes and Inveresk Lodge Garden just a few minutes off route. If there’s a downside, it has to be the monotonous stretches surrounding Queen Margaret University, with the attractive campus pond providing a welcome break.
Chronological photo guide
Location
Start / finish at Fisherrow Harbour, New Street, Fisherrow, 0.5 mi west of Musselburgh town centre
O.S. Grid Reference: NT 334729
GPS coordinates: 55.944875,-3.067346
Edinburgh Road (A199) |
Musselburgh (1 mi) |
Car park
Key info
12 km / 7 mi | ▲ 50 m |
2.5-3 hr
Features:
Fisherrow Sands ★★ & harbour;
Musselburgh ★;
River Esk;
Queen Margaret University;
Brunstane Burn
⬤ Easy | Level paths, mostly tarmac, with sandy beach to finish.
Clockwise circuit: start & Fisherrow Sands – mouth of River Esk – Musselburgh – River Esk east bank until footbridge after railway line – Queen Margaret University – Newcraighall – Brunstane Burn – start


























On our last visit
Wildlife: Varied riverside, woodland and coastal birds; small fish in the River Esk.
Weather: Sunny but with a cool onshore breeze, temperature in high teens.
May 2020