OurDunbar

01/09/2026

September is here, and there's no shortage of things happening in and around Dunbar this month.

From festivals and live music to local history, outdoor adventures and community favourites, here are just some of September's highlights:

• Groundswell's Surf Festival, Pease Bay – 5 September
• Autumn's Healing Secrets, Preston Mill – 5 September
• Rainbow Colour Run 5K, Wild Cairns – 6 September
• Lammermuir Festival – 8–20 September
• Dunbar Flower Show – 12 September
• Apple Day, Belhaven Community Garden – 12 September
• Adventure Social – Axe Throwing & Archery – 20 September
• Dunbar Music Festival – 25–27 September
• Food & Craft Market, Lauderdale Park – 26–27 September
• World Rivers Day at the John Muir Birthplace – 27 September

And that's only a selection. There are talks, workshops, markets, live performances, walking tours and plenty of regular community events happening throughout September too. There's even the opportunity to go out to The Ilse of May with Blue Wild. Booking required.

Take a look at the full What's On listings and get some dates in the diary:

ourdunbar.com/events

17/08/2026

Line up for tomorrow 18th August. Hope you are enjoying the events.

TUESDAY 18 AUGUST LINE UP

🎳BOWLING TRY OUT SESSION
📍West Barns Bowling Club
6-7.30pm
Go along and try your hand at bowls. Wear flat shoes or trainers

🌊 SEA CADETS OPEN EVENING
📍 Dunbar Harbour (bad weather Sea Cadets Unit, North Road)
7.00pm FREE
Drop in to meet the cadets, explore the boats and find out about activities and opportunities.

🎶 STATION YARD -SEA SHANTY NIGHT
📍 Station Yard
7.30-9.30pm FREE
Sea shanty sing a long. Go along and sing your heart out!

17/08/2026

Sometimes the best cafés are the ones where nobody is in a hurry.

The 1650 Coffee Shop has become a familiar meeting place on Dunbar High Street, welcoming locals and visitors looking for a cuppa and a friendly atmosphere. A chance to sit down and enjoy a proper catch-up.

Serving breakfasts, lunches, home baking and hot drinks throughout the day, it's somewhere to pause for a while rather than rush through. And if you choose your seat carefully, you'll even find a view of the sea.

For many, it's the place to meet friends over coffee, enjoy lunch after a walk around town, or simply watch the day go by.

It's these independent cafés that give our High Street its character, offering spaces where conversations are just as important as what's on the menu.

📍 Find the 1650 Coffee Shop on Dunbar High Street and enjoy a relaxed break in the heart of town.

10/08/2026

Some places become part of a town's identity, and The Volunteer Arms is certainly one of them.

Standing proudly in its beautiful 19th Century listed building on Victoria Street, The Volunteer Arms has long welcomed locals, visitors and walkers heading to and from Dunbar Harbour.

Today it continues that tradition with a welcoming restaurant serving food throughout the day, a downstairs bar offering a great selection of real ales, and a regular Thursday Folk Music Evening that brings musicians and audiences together each week.

Dog owners are welcome in the bar too, making it an ideal stop after exploring the coastline or wandering around the harbour.

Following the installation of its beautifully crafted new hanging sign (after the last one broke in a storm), The Volunteer Arms remains one of the landmarks that gives this part of Dunbar its unmistakable character.

Whether you're dropping in for lunch, meeting friends for a drink or enjoying an evening of live folk music, you'll always find a warm welcome waiting.

📍 Victoria Street, Dunbar Harbour.

03/08/2026

One of the best things about shopping at the Community Carrot is discovering products you might never have found otherwise.

Ask the team what they recommend, and you'll quickly realise everyone has their own favourites.

Jo never leaves without the turmeric kombucha, while both Jo's are fans of the Chocolate Tree's dark chocolate buttons, made right here in Scotland.

Hannah recommends the Organic Nettle Shampoo from The Caurnie Soapery, a favourite with customers looking for a gentle, soothing shampoo. She's also a regular buyer of the great-value bulk seeds and local charcoal from Hamish Darrah, perfect for outdoor cooking over the summer.

Meanwhile, Helen and Jade both swear by Planet Paleo Organic Bone Broth.

It's these personal recommendations, alongside shelves full of locally produced food, ethical products and everyday essentials, that make every visit a little different.

Next time you're in, why not ask the team what they'd recommend?

📍 Find the Community Carrot on Dunbar High Street.

31/07/2026

August is packed with reasons to get out and explore Dunbar and the surrounding area.

From family fun and community celebrations to live music, festivals and markets, there's something happening almost every day throughout the month.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Spot the Malarky continues on Dunbar High Street throughout August
• Hallhill Charity Family Day (2 August)
• Slater's Showtime Funfair (6–9 August)
• Superhero Surf, West Barns (8 August)
• Heart of Dunbar Festival (15–23 August)
• Oldhamstocks Flower Show (15 August)
• Harbour Chapel Summer Wedding Open Day (16 August)
• Pirates of Penzance, Stenton (16 August)
• Hoolie in the Park (23 August)
• Nae Bad B**r Festival (28–30 August)
• Wee Fair Makers Market, Tyninghame (30 August)

You'll also find creative workshops, live music, family activities, walking tours, community events and much more happening throughout the month.

See the full August listings and start planning your summer:
👉 ourdunbar.com/events

27/07/2026

For 15 years, Bowe Sports & Leisurewear has been helping Dunbar make the most of the outdoors.

From family beach days and holidays to local sports clubs and outdoor adventures, this independent High Street business has been supporting residents and visitors with quality clothing, equipment and expert advice since 2011.

Whether you're looking for wetsuits, swimsuits, beach shoes, goggles, buoyancy aids and armbands, or planning a day on the sand with body boards, frisbees, beach games and toys, you'll find plenty to choose from. There's also casual clothing from Brakeburn and Weird Fish, alongside sports equipment and gifts for all ages.

It's this combination of choice, experience and personal service that has made Bowe Sports & Leisurewear a valued part of Dunbar High Street for 15 years.

So before your next beach day, holiday or outdoor adventure, why not see what your local independent sports shop has to offer?

📍 Visit Bowe Sports & Leisurewear on Dunbar High Street.

24/07/2026

Some businesses quietly become part of the fabric of a community, and Dunbar T-Shirt Shop is one of them.

Over the years, Steve and the team have supported countless local organisations, charities, schools and community projects, often working behind the scenes to help ideas become reality.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the European Land Art Festival, a festival that you may not know Steve co-founded with James Page following the success of the Dunbar Street Art Trail. Since then, the festival has attracted artists and visitors from across the UK, Europe and beyond, helping to showcase Dunbar on an international stage.

The team has also proudly supported St Abbs Independent Lifeboat throughout its 10-year journey, from developing its logo and website to producing merchandise that has helped raise vital funds for this volunteer lifesaving service.

Closer to home, Dunbar T-Shirt Shop recently donated £1,000 worth of laptop cases to Dunbar Grammar School, helping reduce repair costs so more funding can be directed towards opportunities for young people.

Their community support extends beyond East Lothian too. Through a long-standing partnership with Deaf Action, they provide printing for the Edinburgh Deaf Festival and continue to support a charity that is especially close to the team's heart.

It's businesses like Dunbar T-Shirt Shop that remind us our independent High Street is about much more than shopping. It's about people who invest their time, skills and generosity back into the communities around them.

Visit them today to see what's in store or call, email or visit their online shop. Clothing and any merchandise you can think of - they can print it.



https://www.dunbartshirt.com/collections

17/07/2026

Every independent business has a story, and The Tipsy Truffle's begins in a building many people will remember as the old TSB bank.

Four years ago, that empty High Street property was given a new lease of life and today it's home to handcrafted chocolates, seasonal treats and thoughtful gifts that have become part of many a visit to Dunbar.

It's businesses like The Tipsy Truffle that help keep our High Street vibrant, bringing character to historic buildings while giving residents and visitors another reason to explore everything Dunbar has to offer.

Congratulations to the mother and daughter team, of Julie and Katie, on four years of making Dunbar just that little bit sweeter.

The Tipsy Truffle also hosts a new book event, bringing people together over a shared love of books and chocolate. Their inaugural event sold out, so it's worth keeping an eye on their website to be among the first to hear about future dates. Or even sign up for the updates.

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