The Belters

The Belters is a gallery space in Prestonpans that punches well above its weight. You're looking at contemporary art in a former industrial setting - the kind of place that reminds you East Lothian has more going on than just countryside walks and fish suppers.

The space itself is the draw. It's housed in what was once part of the area's pottery and brick-making heritage, so there's a genuine sense of place rather than the sterile white-cube feeling you get elsewhere. The exhibitions rotate, so what's on changes, but they tend toward Scottish artists and work that engages with the region's industrial past. You might find installations, photography, ceramics - it depends on timing.

It's not somewhere families with young children will spend hours, to be honest. Teenagers interested in art will get something out of it, and adult visitors planning a few days in the area should definitely stop by. Walkers heading along the coast or cycling between Seton Sands and Musselburgh could easily fit it in.

What makes it worth visiting - and it won't take more than an hour - is that it's free and genuinely local. There's no stuffiness about it. You're not fighting crowds, and the staff know what they're talking about. If you're staying at Haven Seton Sands Holiday Village or Drummohr Camping & Glamping Site nearby, it's a proper alternative to another rainy-day beach visit. Check ahead though - opening hours aren't widely advertised, so ring ahead or check their social media before you go.