History, past and current fishing practice and seabirds on Saturday 5th July 2025, 2.00 for 2.30 PM
Society visit MEMBERS ONLY
Dunbar Harbour is a working harbour, owned and run by a charity, Dunbar Harbour Trust. Our visit will be hosted by Alasdair Swan, a most knowledgeable expert on the harbour having served the maximum term of twelve years as a trustee of Dunbar Harbour Trust, most of them as Chair of the Trust. He is currently a trustee of Dunbar Dementia Network and Belhaven Surf Centre, and is the Treasurer for Dunbar Community Council and Dunbar History Society. He lives near to Dunbar’s East Beach, close to the harbour.
Dunbar Harbour history
Attendees will be introduced to Dunbar’s three harbours, all of which have been packed with history, with tales of Black Agnes, Mary Queen of Scots, poor Johnny Cope, and American/French pirates.
For many centuries Dunbar was a town of great significance in the seemingly endless wars between the Scots and the English. It was seen as a key supply point on the road to Edinburgh, and its castle was never easy to capture. Some of what remains of the castle you will be able to see on our visit, although much of its stonework is less obvious as it has long since been incorporated into the buildings in the town.
Dunbar Battery holds a prominent position at the harbour and has had several re-incarnations since it was first built. It is now an open-air arena, available for public performances and civic occasions.
The harbours are home to a large kittiwake population, and it is probable that our tour will need to compete with the sound of the birds, circling round the harbour rock. Local seabird enthusiast and kittiwake warden Chris Martin will be present to describe their activities.
Fishing has always been an important part of the town’s economy, and we will have a chance to hear some of the current challenges that face our fishing families, hopefully first hand from local fishermen if they are not out fishing!
Visit plan
Dunbar Harbour is at the foot of Victoria Street, EH42 1HW. Walkers should go straight down to the old Cromwell Harbour. All cars should drive down to the foot of this street and spaces will be made available for those with mobility issues. Others will be guided to suitable nearby on-street parking.
We will meet at the white building called McArthur’s Store at the foot of the street. (The white building in the photo).
The visit will be tailored according to the weather for, ideally, it will involve a fair amount of walking in the open air. This is not such a good idea when the rain is lashing down and the wind is whipping in from the North Sea, so there will be a contingency plan if the weather forecast is truly awful.
At the end of the visit there will be a chance to have a cup of tea or coffee together in McArthur’s Store.
Request to consider donations to Dunbar Harbour Trust
There will be no charge for the visit to Dunbar Harbour but attendees are asked to consider a cash donation on the day towards the charity or, better still, a gift aid donation at:
https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/19527#!/DonationDetails
Booking: there is not need to formally book but it would be useful to convey your intent to come, no least to help the Dunbar Harbour, by contacting Elaine Whewell at info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC0052295