Stenton Playfields

The moment you arrive at Stenton Playfields near Dunbar, you're in proper Scottish countryside - rolling grassland that stretches out without the fuss of a formal visitor setup. It's a nature reserve that rewards people who actually want to walk and look rather than those after a gift shop and a cafe.

You'll find yourself moving through open fields where the birds do most of the talking. Lapwings, curlews, and if you're lucky enough to visit during migration season, something more unusual. The landscape is dead flat in places, then gently rolling in others - it's the kind of spot where you notice things. Skylarks overhead. The particular quality of light that Scotland does so well. A few bog areas if you're willing to get your boots damp.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination where you'd spend half a day unless you're genuinely into birdwatching or botany, but it's excellent for a couple of hours of proper rambling with Dunbar just down the road if you fancy a pint afterwards. The reserve is free to access and there are no time restrictions that I'm aware of.

If you're staying at nearby Belhaven Bay Caravan Park, this is worth a detour on your morning walk. It's the kind of place that feels like East Lothian's secret, even though there's nothing secret about walking straight in off the road. Best visited when the light's good and the wind's from a useful direction.