castle
Tantallon Castle
A vast red curtain wall on a clifftop in East Lothian facing the Bass Rock, the last of Scotland's great courtyard castles.
11 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomScotland
Gullane
Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe
About Gullane
Gullane works well as a base: 5 minutes from Aberlady, 11km from Tantallon Castle.
Gullane is in Scotland, United Kingdom, with about 2,600 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Aberlady, about 4 km away.
Gullane ( GUL-ən or GHIL-ən) is a town on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth in East Lothian on the east coast of Scotland. There has been a church in the village since the ninth century. The ruins of the Old Church of St. Andrew built in the twelfth century can still be seen at the western entrance to theRead more
village; the church was abandoned after a series of sandstorms made it unusable, and Dirleton Parish Church took its place.
Gullane Bents, the village's award-winning beach, is backed by large sand dunes that in recent years have become rather overgrown by invasive shrubs like sea-buckthorn. Gullane is part of the John Muir Way, a long-distance footpath along the coast between Musselburgh and Dunglass.
The local population includes a higher than average percentage of elderly people, but also attracts young families and commuters for Edinburgh. Urbanisation has led to some recent housing developments being approved on greenbelt land around the village, and Gullane is gaining popularity as a commuter village for nearby Edinburgh (22 miles or 35 kilometres away), despite the poor transport to the village. Amenities include the village hall and a variety of shops. There is a primary school, and local children attend secondary school (5 mi or 8 km) away in North Berwick.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Gullane?
Within an hour or so of Gullane: Tantallon Castle (11 km), Preston Mill, East Lothian (Outlander) (12 km), Anstruther Fish Bar (22 km), Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh (23 km).
Are there any good drives near Gullane?
The nearest famous roads are The Royal Mile, College Valley and Holy Island Causeway.
Where is Gullane?
Gullane is in Scotland, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Aberlady.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 2,570
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Scotland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 56.0365, -2.8283
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Gullane
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
film location
Preston Mill, East Lothian (Outlander)
The 18th-century water mill with its conical kiln appears as the mill Jamie hides beneath in Outlander.
12 km · about 25 min drive
restaurant
Anstruther Fish Bar
Multiple UK Fish and Chip Shop of the Year winner on the harbourfront of the East Neuk's prettiest fishing town, frying haddock landed along the Fife coast. Eat on the sea wall watching the boats.
22 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh
Ancient volcanic peak rising 251 metres in the heart of Edinburgh, offering panoramic city views from its dramatic summit.
23 km · about 25 min drive
historic highway
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh's historic spine of cobbled streets and closes linking the castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with landmarks.
24 km · about 30 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Calton Hill
An accessible hilltop crowned with neoclassical monuments, giving the classic skyline view of Edinburgh at sunset.
24 km · about 25 min drive
museum
National Museum of Scotland
A stunning Victorian and modern building housing diverse collections from Scottish history to world cultures and natural science.
25 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Edinburgh Castle
Dramatic fortress perched atop Castle Rock, dominating the Edinburgh skyline for over 900 years.
25 km · about 30 min drive
Driving roads near Gullane
- 23 kmArthur's Seat, EdinburghAncient volcanic peak rising 251 metres in the heart of Edinburgh, offering panoramic city views from its dramatic summit.
- 24 kmThe Royal MileEdinburgh's historic spine of cobbled streets and closes linking the castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with landmarks.
- 24 kmCalton HillAn accessible hilltop crowned with neoclassical monuments, giving the classic skyline view of Edinburgh at sunset.
- 37 kmQueensferry CrossingThe world's longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge, opened in 2017, carrying the M90 high over the Firth of Forth alongside its famous Victorian and 1960s neighbours: three centuries of bridges in one view.
- 68 kmCollege ValleyA remote Cheviot valley reached by a permit-only single-track road, one of the quietest drives in England.
- 73 kmHoly Island CausewayThe tidal road to Lindisfarne, submerged twice daily; crossing outside the published safe times regularly strands vehicles.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
Nearby Destinations
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