Full-Day Trip: Sands and Castles of East Lothian from Edinburgh
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Follow the breathtaking East Lothian coastline for a fantastic blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue.
Enjoy the first stop at Archerfield Walled Garden. A unique destination in the heart of the beautiful East Lothian countryside, with lovingly tended Gardens, extensive grounds, Garden Café, Shop and Food Market, there is lots to see and do
Spend time exploring the well preserved castles of Dirleton and Tantallon. Gain insights to medieval life and architecture as you roam the castle grounds.
Free time for lunch in North Berwick. Once a royal burgh, the town boasts a picturesque high street, beautiful sandy beaches and a relaxing atmosphere.
A final stop on the way home at Athelstaneford, the birthplace of the Scottish Flag where you will learn about the battle between the Picts and the Angles, the vision of King Angus, and how the Scottish Saltire came to life.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travel time is added to the total tour duration
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Scenic tour through the County of East Lothian
Regular stops for photos and rest breaks
Air-conditioned vehicle
Time to explore Yellowcraig and Seacliff beaches
Services of an English-speaking driver guide
Food and drink
Individual hotel / multi-point pick-ups and drop-off
What To Expect
Archerfield Walled Garden
Archerfield Walled Garden is a unique destination in the heart of the beautiful East Lothian countryside. Close to the seaside towns of Gullane and North Berwick and just 20 miles from the centre of Edinburgh, it’s the perfect place for a stop to grab some refreshments. With lovingly tended Gardens, extensive grounds, Garden Café, Shop and Food Market, there is lots to see and do. Families will love the woodland Fairy Trail and enclosed play area. Whether you’re a garden enthusiast looking for inspiration or a foodie looking for delicious brunch, you will love what’s on offer here.
Dirleton Castle
The first stop on our journey brings us to the well preserved Dirleton Castle. The castle is located at the heart of the rich agricultural lands of the barony of Dirleton, and guards the coastal approach to Edinburgh from England, via the port of North Berwick. You will have the chance to roam through the beautiful gardens, gaining insights into medieval life and architecture
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Full-Day Trip: Sands and Castles of East Lothian from Edinburgh
Reviews
55 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Special tour.
E133QSjuliat,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My experience was amazing, I loved every place, and I found the service super personalized. It is worth it!! I loved
Do not miss this tour!!
H8683EYbeckyl,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was, hands down, the experience of a lifetime. Visiting medieval castles in Scotland has always been on my bucket list, and the beaches were a bonus I hadn't considered, yet there I was. We got very lucky as the weather was almost perfect. I can deal with the wind, but the sun was shining and there was no rain! What really brought this tour to life was our guide, Phil. He is an authentic Scotsman, knowledgeable and proud of his heritage and history. He knew all the best beaches, he was entertaining to listen to, and the soundtrack he put together... Who does that?! This was my favorite day of my entire trip, it filled my soul 😍 Also, please let Phil know I did get my phone back. I asked a tree in the Victorian Gardens at Dirleton Castle to send it back to me (old faerie magic) 🧚♀️
Full Day East Lothian Sands and Castles tour. 10/10!
Don M,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Deborah was WONDERFUL!! Such a friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging lady! It was amazing to not be rushed, as we have all been on strictly held-to-timeline tours with no flexibility. The castles are not to be missed! SPECTACULAR! The beaches were also stunning! Highly recommend this tour company and guide Deborah, as well as this itinerary! 8.5 hours that FLEW BY! This is a tour itinerary that only Stuart Tours offers, so if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, do it!
Awesome!!
hankd766,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We absolutely loved our tour of East Lothian and North Berwick! Deborah was a fantastic tour guide, she was very personable and funny and had a wealth of knowledge about the area. 100% recommend this tour!!
Beautiful East Lothian tour with stunning castles & a perfect guide !
arnaudlE7889XI,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a wonderful trip along the East Lothian coast! The castles were absolutely stunning, especially Tantallon Castle. North Berwick was such a lovely surprise — a charming seaside village with a beautiful mix of golden sand and rocky shores. The little viewpoint stops along the way were also gorgeous and pleasantly unexpected! Our guide, Deborah, was really nice, knowledgeable, and full of fascinating stories about everything we saw (and more). She also gave us plenty of time to enjoy each stop, so we never felt rushed at all. Highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves old castles, coastlines, and picturesque places !
Can’t recommend this tour enough!!!
Passenger38653132903,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was honestly the highlight of our time in Scotland. Phil went above and beyond for us as our tour guide and with a personal issue we had. Even though it was super windy and cold that day, the sun was out for a good majority of our day. The castles, beaches and everyone that was a part of our group were amazing. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone going to Scotland. It’s a great way to fill your day and see historical sites in Scotland. Phil had such amazing knowledge and you could tell how much he loved his job. He was such a joy to be around. Having Scottish ancestry, this tour filled my soul with what’s been missing for me. Edinburgh had such a dark, horrible history, that this tour really brought the light back for me.
Just Wow!
Rebecca L,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was, hands down, the experience of a lifetime. Visiting medieval castles across Scotland has been on my bucket list forever. The beaches were an added treat that I hadn't considered, yet there I was. This tour exceeded my expectations. Our guide, Phil, was the absolute best. He even knew where to stop to see Highland cows! I was exhausted by the end of the day, but my heart and soul were overflowing. I can't say enough positive things about this tour.
Delightful trip
L2146MFchristianes,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A delightful trip to the coast east of Edinburgh for people who are interested in history or simply want to relax and enjoy the beauty of the landscape and visit the castles. Very friendly and helpful local guide (Phil). We were very satisfied with this trip.
A lovely day in East Lothian!
ElizabethR4005,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an awesome experience on this day tour with Stewart Tours. Phil was our driver/guide. He is a local of the area so he is really knowledgeable of the history and backroads of East Lothian. He started the tour by getting to know each of us so that he could tailor the tour towards our interests and reasons for joining the tour. Because of his engagement with each of us, combined with his knowledge of the area, we did everything listed in the tour but were able to add some more sights/experiences to our time on the tour. The friendly environment created by Phil combined with the tour being a small group made this tour really stand out. It didn't feel like it was scripted like other tours can. This tour is great for people who want to go off the beaten track and see things/places that are different.
Fun, laughs, sites and history.
Darren B,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was so informative and so much fun. It was a small group of five so it felt more like a tour with friends. Our guide, Deb, was absolutely lovely, fun and had a wealth of knowledge. My favorite tour during my time in Scotland!
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Operated by Stewart Tours