The Church of Scotland

The Church of Scotland in Dunbar is one of those solid, no-nonsense parish churches that tells you quite a lot about Scottish religious life if you're bothered to stop and look properly. It's a working church, not a museum piece, so you'll need to time your visit around services or knock on the vestry door like a civilised person.

What draws people in varies. History enthusiasts find plenty to think about - the building itself reflects centuries of Scottish Protestant tradition, and the kirkyard contains graves worth a quiet wander if you're into that sort of thing. Families with young kids might find it a bit austere for a long visit, but if you're teaching them about Scottish heritage or just need a moment of peace during a caravan holiday at Belhaven Bay, it's worth fifteen minutes of your time.

The town of Dunbar itself has enough going on - the harbour's pleasant, the clifftop walks are excellent - so you won't feel shortchanged if the church visit is brief. Allow half an hour if you're thorough, less if you're just popping in. Admission is free, obviously, though leaving a donation in the box is the decent thing to do.

It won't change your life, but it's the kind of proper local stop that makes a coastal holiday feel less touristy and more like you've actually been somewhere real.