Johnston's Hole

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in East Lothian

Scotland

Johnston's Hole

Winterfield GC Golf course in Dunbar. View of the Bass Rock and Fife. — Winterfield GC Credit: Richard Webb

Johnston's Hole is a prominent coastal feature located in East Lothian, Scotland. Situated on a headland, it is a picturesque point that offers stunning views of the North Sea. The area is known for its rugged beauty, with jagged cliffs and rocky outcrops that have been shaped by the relentless force of the ocean over centuries.

The name "Johnston's Hole" is believed to originate from a local fisherman named Johnston who used to frequent this spot. The hole refers to a natural geological formation in the cliff face, which resembles a small cave or crevice. This feature adds to the allure of the area, attracting both nature enthusiasts and photographers.

The headland on which Johnston's Hole is located provides a perfect vantage point for observing the surrounding coastline. On clear days, visitors can see as far as the Bass Rock, a famous seabird sanctuary. The headland is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including various species of seabirds such as gulls and fulmars.

The rocky terrain of Johnston's Hole makes it an ideal spot for coastal exploration and rock pooling. During low tide, visitors can venture down to the shoreline to discover an array of marine life, from crabs and starfish to small fish and anemones. However, caution is advised as the area can become treacherous and slippery when wet.

Overall, Johnston's Hole is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the raw beauty of East Lothian's coastline. Its unique geological formations, breathtaking vistas, and abundant wildlife make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

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Johnston's Hole Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.006823/-2.5166826 or Grid Reference NT6779. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Winterfield GC

Golf course in Dunbar. View of the Bass Rock and Fife.

Richard Webb

Cromwell Harbour, Dunbar

The older of the two harbours at Dunbar.

Bob Jones

Victoria Harbour, Dunbar

The newer of the two harbours at Dunbar.

Bob Jones

Centre of Dunbar

G McK

John Muir Statue, Dunbar

John Muir (1838-1914) was America's most famous and influential naturalist and conservationist. He is one of California's most important historical personalities. He has been called "The Father of the National Parks," "Wilderness Prophet," and "Citizen of the Universe." He once described himself more humorously, and perhaps most accurately, as, a "poetico-trampo-geologist-botanist and ornithologist-naturalist etc. etc. !!!!" Legendary librarian and author Lawrence Clark Powell (1906-2001) said of him: "If I were to choose a single Californian to occupy the Hall of Fame, it would be this tenacious Scot who became a Californian during the final forty-six years of his life."

John Darcy

Belhaven Brewery

Great beer since 1719

John Darcy

Belhaven Bay

I don't see the point of this bridge but it has been there for years.

John Darcy

Lochend

Lochend Wood, looked like a small wood surrounded by farmland on the OS map. Now the woods are becoming surrounded by new houses. The woodland remains though and I have recently visited it for orienteering.

Richard Webb

Road to nowhere

The ghost exit of this roundabout at Lochend suggests that the field will not be growing winter barley for much longer. Dunbar is expanding fast because folk can no longer afford to live in Edinburgh. With the new A1 pseudo-motorway the East Lothian towns are being rapidly developed. Whether many can afford Dunbar is a good question. Looking east towards the cement works. Development of the site has begun, and there is now a supermarket here.

Richard Webb

Lochend.

Estate from an access roundabout. Looking west. The exit behind me just leads to a field, but soon this roundabout will be in the middle of a lot of houses, and not a safe place for casual photographers to lurk.

Richard Webb

Last day for the Bellevue

The Dunbar hotel devastated by fire in 1986 was finally demolished in February 2006 after a decade of arguments over whether the building should be preserved or torn down. A fine hotel in its hey day with 365 windows (days), 53 bedrooms (weeks), 12 public rooms (months) and 4 floors (seasons). Retirement homes will be built on the site.

Lisa Jarvis

Belhaven Brewery

The entrance to one of the great Scottish breweries. Belhaven was demerged from a larger group back in early 1990's, as I remember under the brand-master hand of Raymond Miguel, and which went on to become City Centre Restaurants plc (now called The Restaurant Group) which used to include well known names such as Est Est Est, Garfunkels, The Filling Station, Cafe Uno, Wok Wok, Chiquitos, Frankie and Benny's even the little chrome caravan niche called "OK Diner". It would seem that some of these are no longer part of their portfolio. (Link

Nevertheless it would seem that 15ish years down the line that both companies are doing very well. Over the years I had a little flutter in the equity of both businesses. More on the history of Belhaven Brewery here: (and what colourful history) Link

Simon Johnston

Dunbar Golf Course

The Dunbar Golf Course is laid out on the land where Oliver Cromwell's army camped prior to the Battle of Dunbar in 1650. Dunbar East Links, situated on the estuary of the Firth of Forth, is a combination of links and inland turf, laid out on a narrow stretch of land which follows the natural contours of the coastline.

Lisa Jarvis

Friar's Croft, Dunbar

Nearby to Dunbars supermarkets is this old doocot which represents the sole remains of Dunbar's Trinitarian priory, established by Christiana de Brus, Countess of Dunbar in the 1240s. Pigeons are still in residence.

Lisa Jarvis

Lobster pots, Dunbar harbour

Lobster pots on the quayside at Dunbar around sunset

Stephen Craven

Dunbar Battery

The battery was erected in 1781 to protect the town of Dunbar from sudden invasion. The remains consist of a strong wall surrounding the site and embrasures for cannons in three sides. From this one the islands of Long Steeple, Round Stepple and the Yetts can be seen.

Lisa Jarvis

Victoria Harbour, Dunbar

Victoria Harbour (1842) is formed by a sea wall linking two rock outcrops together with a quay along the shore parallel with the wall. This section has two entrances, one to the old harbour channel spanned by a hand-operated wrought-iron, 2-leaf bascule bridge, and the other (at the N end) is open. Dunbar Castle in background.

Lisa Jarvis

Statue of John Muir as a young boy

Dunbar's famous son, John Muir, has been hailed as "the greatest of all Californians". Muir, an early conservationist, was responsible for the concept of the National Parks which were subsequently created in the United States of America. He was born in Dunbar in 1838, but emigrated as a boy, with his family, to the USA. This statue, sculpted by Valentin Znoba, shows him feeding birds.

Eileen Henderson

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Johnston's Hole is located at Grid Ref: NT6779 (Lat: 56.006823, Lng: -2.5166826)

Unitary Authority: East Lothian

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders