The Knock

The Knock sits just inland from Dunbar, a stubby volcanic plug that looks deceptively modest until you're actually standing on top of it. The walk up takes maybe twenty minutes from the car park, nothing technical, but it's steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs. What makes it worth doing is the view - proper panoramic stuff across East Lothian's farmland, down to the coast, and on a clear day you can see right across to the Forth. The summit's bare rock with room for perhaps a dozen people comfortably. It's the kind of place where you can see why the Scots chose to build fortifications here centuries ago.

This works best for people who like a brisk walk with a genuine payoff, rather than a casual stroll. Kids with some stamina will enjoy the scramble up. Families camping nearby at Belhaven Bay Caravan Park - less than four miles away - could easily slot this in as a morning outing before heading to the beach. The parking is straightforward, and there's no entry fee. Allow an hour all told, maybe ninety minutes if you're the type to sit and properly take in the view.

Come on a day when the weather's cooperating. Mist rolls in quickly here and suddenly you're just standing on a hilltop in cloud with nothing to see. Spring or early autumn tends to be clearest. It's not a major attraction - you won't spend half your holiday here - but it's a solid little detour if you're exploring this corner of East Lothian.