Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve — Attraction in Scotland

Huge tidal bay reminiscent of Morecambe Bay. Full of wildlife and good place for hiking.

Aberlady Bay in East Lothian, Scotland lies between Aberlady and Gullane. Aberlady Bay coastline In 1952, Aberlady Bay became the UK's first Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and is served by the East Lothian Council Rangers. The Scottish Ornithologists' Club has Waterston House as its headquarters at Aberlady, with panoramic views of the bay.

Aberlady Bay is part of the John Muir Way, a long distance footpath from Fisherrow (Musselburgh) to Dunglass. It is also the East Lothian Section of the transnational North Sea Trail, a path network connecting seven countries and 26 areas.

Two wrecks of XT-craft, training versions of the X craft, can be seen. In 1946, the craft were towed to the bay, then moored to a concrete block and used for target practice by aircraft of the Royal Air Force. The wrecks of the submarines lie much closer to the low-water mark than the high-water mark, and tides in the bay rise...

A wonderful place with great wildlife (deer, rabbits, sheep, water birds) and amazing views from the sand dunes. Also, finally a place where nature and humans take priority over luxury pets like dogs. The best thing about this nature reserve is that dogs are NOT allowed here, with or without a lead. 4 stars only though because some people do break the rules and I'd want the rangers to prevent it, warn them as well as fine them heavily. Cameras would help, too. Luckily, most people are intelligent enough to understand that their dog is not the most important creature in this world and accept it. 4 stars only also because of the lousy wooden footbridge, which simply does not look or feel very safe. Way too long, narrow and shabby. To be honest, I'm surprised that it is still there after so many big storms. This place is not protected from the elements, in fact, it is quite exposed so it is rather...

Humans are the worst! Despite clear warnings of no dogs allowed due to it being a nature reserve you see the idiotic fools.. with dogs and when it's pointed out that there's a no dog policy you get " i live here stuff there's hundreds of dogs come here", .. he actually looked very like a big dog himself into the bargain with his twit companion staring on with nothing to say at his side.. then we see some fools with a squad of noisy overly excited children running into the pond area with.. fishing rods and the parents with the obligatory huge picnic in plastic bags, two minutes later are the 5 young women with more bulging plastic bags and disposable barbecue. The thought process of these idiots is akin to having a lit cigarette with a chocolate ashtray between them . So very very sad that it's not got cctv and capable of...