Haddington Obelisk

The obelisk that dominates Haddington's skyline is harder to ignore than to explain. This 80-foot granite monument rises from the town centre like an exclamation mark, commissioned back in 1831 to honour John Maitland, the 8th Earl of Lauderdale. Worth stopping for? Absolutely, if you're already in town - it's free to admire from ground level, takes about ten minutes to have a proper look, and the carved stonework rewards a closer inspection.

Walkers will appreciate the town itself more than the obelisk alone. Haddington sits prettily in the Tyne Valley, and wandering its Georgian streets, you'll stumble upon the medieval church of St Mary and some decent independent shops. It's the sort of place that benefits from a slow morning rather than a quick photograph.

Geographically, Haddington is only seven miles west of Dunbar, making it a straightforward addition to a longer East Lothian tour. If you're staying at Belhaven Bay Caravan Park - a solid base three miles from Dunbar - adding Haddington makes sense as a half-day excursion. The drive between them takes barely twenty minutes.

History buffs will find more substance in the surrounding landscape than the monument itself. But if you've got an hour spare and you're exploring the region, the obelisk is genuinely worth the detour. Just don't expect it to be the highlight of your trip.