Mercat Cross

The cross stands in the middle of Dunbar's high street, a weathered stone marker that's been watching over this East Lothian town since the 17th century. It's the sort of thing you walk past without thinking - until you actually stop and realise you're looking at proper Scottish history, right there on the pavement.

Mercat crosses were market centres, gathering points, places where justice was done and proclamations read aloud. This one's seen everything. It's not flashy - just a solid stone structure with a shaft topped by a unicorn finial, Scotland's national animal, which tells you something about how seriously they took their civic pride back then.

Historically minded visitors will get the most from it, especially those interested in how ordinary medieval towns functioned. It won't take you more than ten minutes to have a proper look, read the plaque, and take some photos. Free to visit, obviously - it's just standing there.

What makes it worth your while is how it slots into a broader Dunbar visit. The town itself has a decent seafront, and if you're staying at Belhaven Bay Caravan Park just 1.2 miles away, you're perfectly placed to explore. Drummohr Camping & Glamping and Haven Seton Sands are also within easy reach if you're basing yourself in the area. Combine the cross with a walk along the harbour and you've got a solid hour sorted. It's the glue that holds a seaside afternoon together, rather than a destination in itself.