Our favourite family walks from our home include a riverside walk up to the ruins of Hailes Castle, or a meander through the village and local farm land to the Scottish National Trust owned Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot. Tea and scones at nearby Smeaton nursery are a delight. Our favourite beaches include Seacliffe which boasts dramatic views of Tantallon Castle and the northern hemisphere’s most important gannet colony, Bass Rock and Ravensheugh beach which also has magnificent views of bass rock. If you are fascinated by Scotland’s history, the iron age fort at the top of Traprain Law is a must, as are the medieval strongholds of Tantallon, Hailes and Dirlton castles. There is walking aplenty in East Lothian, the John Muir Way takes in much of the region’s coastline, and the Southern Upland Way is also easily accessible. Day trips from Scotland’s national Seabird Centre in North Berwick are available to the gannet colony at Bass rock and other islands in the forth estuary. Other fun family activities nearby include East Links family park and Foxlake adventures. Miles of beautiful coastline provides a playground for water sports activities, from surfing in Dunbar to sailing in North Berwick. Walking, cycling, fishing, horse riding and golf are also easily available. See http://www.visiteastlothian.org/home for more details. Edinburgh is 23 miles away and has a fantastic range of cultural and family attractions to suit all ages and tastes.