OurDunbar, Dunbar (2026)

Established around 1948, Dunbar Trades’ Association (DTA), or Dunbar Traders as it was known then, was formed by individual traders, who on returning from the Second World War wanted to return Dunbar to its former glory. Beaches were dotted with sea defenses, rationing was still in place and fewer people had time for holidays. Through hard work and determination slowly but surely Dunbar was put back on the map as an A1 holiday destination and as a town of distinction with a vibrant economy. More than 60 years later, DTA continues working with the community and aims to promote a forward thinking business environment to take the town into a new phase of development. With over 50 members consisting of a wide variety of trades’ represented by farmers to gallery owners, professional advisers to tourist attractions. Being a member of the DTA provides a platform for your views to be voiced and initiatives pushed forward. It also adds strength to your business being part of a recognised association which works well with local government and other local bodies. For a membership fee of £60 you can be part of an association which continually works hard at promoting Dunbar and the local infra structure.

09/10/2026

There aren't many cafés where you can catch up over coffee while the kids disappear off to play.

But that's exactly what makes Wishing Tree by the Sea a little different.

Sitting in the heart of Lauderdale Park, just a short walk from Dunbar High Street, Bev and Jonny have created a space designed around eating, meeting and playing.

There’s freshly prepared food, coffee, home baking, ice cream and plenty of locally sourced produce – but step outside and you have the walled garden, outdoor seating and one of Dunbar's best play parks right beside you.

And there's much more happening here than everyday café life.

Over the years Wishing Tree has helped bring all sorts of activity into Lauderdale Park, from food and craft markets and family events to live music and community get-togethers. The café itself can also host workshops, celebrations, private dining and fundraising events.

Even their ice cream can go on tour – Sunny Sundae, their vintage Pashley ice cream bike, is available for events and celebrations across East Lothian.

It's a lovely example of an independent business making the most of its surroundings and creating somewhere for people to spend time together.

Whether it's coffee after a walk, lunch while the kids play or one of the events bringing Lauderdale Park to life, Wishing Tree by the Sea has become very much part of this corner of Dunbar.

08/10/2026

Festival of Recovery 2026 | 9–10 October

Two days of activities, creativity, movement and wellbeing, brought together by The Ridge as part of this year’s Festival of Recovery in Dunbar.

There’s a fantastic mix of sessions to explore, including surfing and breathwork, DJ workshops, boxercise, yoga, mindfulness, creative activities, LEGO and family-friendly sessions.

Whether you’re keen to try something new, meet others or simply take some time for yourself, there’s plenty to get involved in.

The programme is supported by MELDAP funding, helping make these opportunities available to support wellbeing and recovery.

Explore the sessions and book your place:
https://bookwhen.com/theridge

02/10/2026

Summer holidays over. Towels packed away. Outdoor adventures finished for another year?

Not quite.

Foxlake is still very much open – and autumn might actually be a rather good time to remind ourselves what's sitting just outside Dunbar.

Because this isn't simply another outdoor activity centre.

Foxlake is home to Scotland's first cable wakeboarding park AND the UK's first ropes course constructed over water.

Then there's the Aqua Park, Ringos, open-water swimming and Hot Fox sauna and cold plunge.

Right now they're on their autumn opening hours, with all activities available Thursday to Sunday and wakeboarding and the sauna continuing on Mondays.

And when winter arrives, they don't disappear completely either. From 26 October, the Hot Fox sauna continues Thursday to Monday, with weekend wakeboarding subject to water temperature.

You don't have to take to the water to enjoy the setting either. Foxlake sits in woodland on the edge of the John Muir Way, with award-winning Jay Birds Larder on site if your idea of an autumn adventure involves considerably more coffee and cake.

It's easy to think of places like Foxlake as somewhere visitors discover or somewhere we go during the summer holidays.

But having this kind of outdoor adventure hub right here in Dunbar is pretty special at any time of year.

28/09/2026

For more than 20 years, Belhaven Bikes has been helping people in and around Dunbar get out and get moving.

And if you haven't visited for a while, you might be surprised by just how much they do.

There are bikes for just about every kind of rider – road and touring, mountain, hybrid, BMX, e-bikes and bikes for younger riders – alongside clothing, equipment, parts and accessories.

But it's not all about buying a new bike.

Their workshop helps keep existing bikes on the road, there's cycle hire if you want to explore on two wheels, and they cater for Dunbar's skate and scooter crowd too.

If a new bike or e-bike is on the wish list, it's also worth asking about the Cycle to Work scheme. Depending on your circumstances, you could save up to 40% on a bike, e-bike and safety equipment while spreading the cost. 0% finance is also available for bikes, equipment and even larger repair and servicing bills.

After more than two decades, there's a lot of knowledge behind the doors of this independent Dunbar business.

Whether you're a committed cyclist, getting the kids onto their first proper bike, thinking about making the switch to an e-bike or simply need to get an old favourite running smoothly again, it's well worth seeing what your local bike shop can do.

21/09/2026

How lucky are we to have all of this right on our doorstep?

Based at Belhaven Surf Centre, Coast to Coast Surf School has been getting people out onto the water and exploring our coastline for years. Whether they're catching their very first wave or developing skills that can take them much further.

And surfing is only the beginning.

You can try paddleboarding, coasteering and bodyboarding, book equipment hire, join a junior holiday camp or develop your surfing through lessons and coaching for different abilities. Their adventures stretch beyond Dunbar too, with surf camps exploring some of Scotland's islands and north coast.

But we particularly love seeing what starts here in Belhaven grow.

Belhaven Surf Club this month have EIGHT surfers among the 12 selected for the Scottish National Team heading to the European Junior Championships in Ireland this September. Quite an achievement for the young surfers, and something for Dunbar to be very proud of.

You don't need aspirations of representing Scotland to get started on your own water adventure.

Complete beginners from age seven upwards can book a lesson, with equipment and an experienced instructor included. Or if you already know what you're doing, you can simply hire the kit and get out there.

Sometimes it's easy to overlook what's sitting on our own doorstep. With Belhaven Bay and Coast to Coast Surf School right here, perhaps your next adventure doesn't need to take you very far at all.

14/09/2026

How much of Sustaining Dunbar’s work have you already come across without realising it?

The Bike Library, Belhaven Community Garden, community fruit pressing, Riverfly monitoring, wildlife projects and home energy support are just some of the activities they’ve helped develop and support locally.

Since 2008, Sustaining Dunbar has been bringing people together and helping turn local knowledge, skills and ideas into action.

At the heart of their work is the belief that community-led action can help create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive alongside a flourishing natural environment.

That can mean learning new skills, strengthening local connections, looking after the places and wildlife around us, creating meaningful work and employment opportunities, or finding new ways to build a more equal and caring community.

And it doesn’t have to start with a big project.

If you’re a local household or group with an idea that could make a difference, Sustaining Dunbar can offer practical support to help you explore it. And, you don’t need to be a member to ask.

If you would like to get more involved, membership is FREE and open to anyone living in the Dunbar and East Linton Council Ward.

Have a look at what they’re already doing, and perhaps think about what you’d like to see happen next.

Address

Dunbar

Website

http://www.ourdunbar.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when OurDunbar posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to OurDunbar:

OurDunbar