Longniddry Bents

East Lothian

Longniddry No 1 and 2, or Seton Sands as it is sometimes known, has a mix of both sand and rocks to guddle about in providing an ideal location for family day trips. The beach provides opportunities for walking, dog exercising and horse riding while windsurfers and kite surfers often use the sea. The nearby caravan park has an amusement arcade and other facilities and is the nearest access point by public transport from Edinburgh.

History

Longniddry is primarily a dormitory village for commuters, with good transport links by road and rail (Longniddry railway station is on the North Berwick Line) to the capital. Like many coastal towns in East Lothian, Longniddry has a sandy beach beside the golf course. This stretch of local coastline lined with dunes and is known as Longniddry Bents.18th century Gosford House, home of the Earl of Wemyss and March, stands on the eastern edge of the village.

Natural Space

A sandy beach beside a golf course with good open views out to the Firth of Forth.

Plant Life

Longniddry Bents is known best for its plant life. The base-rich soils have allowed a number of plants to flourish here that are only seen occasionally elsewhere in the county. In May, yellow cowslips are abundant, their nodding heads enabling you to tell them apart from their close relative, the primrose. Cowslips are quickly replaced by bloody cranesbill, bright pink-purple flowers that occur in clumps, particularly at the No3 car park.

Wildlife

Alongside the flowers, this section of coast attracts a number of sea duck and wading bird, together with sandwich terns during summer. The autumn sees red-necked grebes regularly forming a small flock in Gosford Bay, these attract a number of bird watchers and, again, No3 car park is the best place from where to look for them.

Setting

Seton Sands is a rocky beach to the east of Port Seton, East Lothian, Scotland. It is situated at the western end of Longniddry Bents and is part of the John Muir Way coastal walk.

Low tide reveals many rock pools, then a flat sandy bed to the north which runs about 200 yards out to meet the Firth of Forth. South of the beach there is Seton Sands Holiday Park, a popular holiday destination in the summer months.

Getting There

Access off the main East Lothian coastal trail route (A198). Two car parks are clearly sign posted (charge applies). Via public transport, Longniddry is accessible via East Coast buses. Scotrail station 1km to South. Located on John Muir Way and National Cycle Network route no. 76.

Water Quality Information

This beach is a designated bathing water site. Further information about water quality at this site can be found on the SEPA website. Please observe local signage and only swim where it is safe to do so.