What’s on in our museums
Our museums are FREE to visit and open for the summer season through until the end of September. Look out for our exciting new exhibitions, events and drop in activities for families.
Exhibitions
The Art of Balance in Nature
Selected works as part of the tenth European Land Art Festival and Stone Stacking Championships 2026.
Sunday 28 June to Sunday 16 August
Open Wednesday to Sunday 1pm to 5pm.
Free admission.
Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER
Landmark exhibition at John Gray Centre
John Bellany HRSA
Acrylic on canvas Cockenzie Harbour by John Bellany
Internationally renowned artist John Bellany HRSA, born in Port Seton, painted large scale, distinctive and often deeply personal works exploring themes including East Lothian’s fishing communities.
Curated by John’s wife Helen Bellany, and his lifelong friend Alexander Moffat RSA, the exhibition combines works on loan from the Royal Scottish Academy with private collections and works held by our council. It includes large and rarely seen work.
This exhibition is part of the RSA200: Celebrating Together partnership project. Throughout 2026 the Royal Scottish Academy, the oldest artist-run institution in Scotland, is celebrating its 200th birthday.
It is running between Friday 17 April and Saturday 19 September.
Open Thursday and Friday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm.
Free admission.
John Gray Centre - Museum, 15 Lodge Street, Haddington, EH41 3DX.
Place names of East Lothian: A journey through time
The settlement of East Linton was recorded as Lintun in 1127, which means 'farm by the torrent', from Old English tūn 'substantial farm' and hlynn 'torrent'. The hlynn is the waterfall which tumbles over what are now called the Linn Rocks. By about 1840 the village had become known as East Linton, to distinguish it from Linton in Peeblesshire, now known as West Linton.
What about Dunbar? Lamer Street? Friarscroft?
What does it mean? Where did the names come from?
Dunbar & District History Society’s latest exhibition is based on the online publication, ‘Place-names of East Lothian: A journey through time’, researched by History Society member Liz Curtis. The exhibition presents a selection of names and their meaning from North Berwick to Dunglass and is supported by artefacts and historical images.
Liz said: "Over thousands of years, a succession of different peoples arrived in East Lothian, mostly seeking the excellent agricultural land. They spoke different languages – Brittonic, Old English, Old Norse (Scandinavian), Gaelic, and Norman French. Then Scots developed locally, based on Old English. Each group named the land in their own way. They adopted the place-names of their predecessors or adapted them or created new names. As a result, East Lothian has a wonderfully varied collection of place-names, which illuminate our history.’
The full version of the online publication can be found on the Scottish Place-Name Society’s website.
Open Wednesday to Sunday 1pm to 5pm.
Free admission.
Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.
A Gude Fechter – John Muir the Campaigner
Farmer, inventor, botanist, geologist, explorer, mountaineer, writer and pioneer of nature conservation
(John Muir. The Story of My Boyhood and Youth, 1913)
“The battle we have fought, and are still fighting for the forests is a part of the eternal conflict between right and wrong...” John Muir
A love of nature, which began at an early age as a young boy growing up in Dunbar sparked a lifelong passion and desire to protect wild places; John’s fight for the environment earned him the title of father of the National Parks and pioneer of the conservation movement, and continuing inspiration for millions.
Here we look at some of the early influences and campaigns in Dunbar, at the later battles that he fought, and we will be considering some of the local environmental issues facing the town of his birth today.
April to June. Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm.
Free admission
John Muir’s Birthplace, High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1JJ.
Haven
Pop into Prestongrange to see an inspiring display of jewellery by designer/maker, Eleanor Symms, who uses reclaimed materials to create her work. In the summer of 2024 Eleanor worked on a project at Morrisons Haven where she gathered waste and organic materials. Her aim is to learn more about ways to use and combine organic and other waste materials and explore how to make wearable, ornamental pieces, prototypes that could be disassembled, reassembled or returned to nature.
Open Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 4.30pm until the end of September.
Prestongrange Museum, Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX.
Coastal Communities Museum
Come and visit our fascinating local museum located in the seaside town of North Berwick. We’re run entirely by enthusiastic volunteers and our aim is to enable locals and visitors to explore the culture and heritage of the coastal communities that make up East Lothian’s North Berwick coastal ward.
Agricultural life is an important part of the Coastal Ward in East Lothian and we are showcasing a new display of farm implements from the past including seed broadcasters, sheep shears, a hand plough and even a ‘foster mother’. Come along and find out more about this curiously named device! These tools offer a fascinating glimpse into the working lives and rural traditions that helped shape our local community.
This year’s Collectors’ Corner will showcase a charming and unusual collection of old button hooks. Among them are several examples of ‘trench art’ – objects transformed with creativity and care, each with its own story to tell.
In the Children’s Area, our much-loved (and very well-worn!) pirate costumes have been topped up, ready for another season of imaginative adventures on Treasure Island. We’ve also restocked the ever-popular colouring postcards. After running low at the end of last season, we’re pleased to say that crabs, puffins and stags are once again back on the shelves. Our popular rope tying display is back for another year – master the art of nautical knots and discover the difference between a Bowline and a Sheet Bend.
Open Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 4pm.
Free admission.
Coastal Communities Museum School Road, North Berwick, EH39 4JU.
Echoes of the Past
Do you remember Musselburgh in the 1950s through to the 90s? If so come to the exhibition to be reminded and tell us more of what it was like then for you. If you are younger then do come along and see what it was like for your parents and grandparents.
Open Thursday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4pm.
Free admission.
Musselburgh Museum, 65 High St, Musselburgh EH21 7BZ.
Events
Wee Wednesdays
Wednesday mornings at Prestongrange Museum (10am to 10.30am) Free Bookbug for 0 to 5s and their parents/carers. Followed by craft activity, £1 per child.
Prestongrange Museum, Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX.
Our museums:
15 Lodge Street, Haddington, EH41 3DX
Thursday and Friday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm
126 High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1JJ
Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 1pm to 5pm
High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1ER
Wednesday to Sunday 1pm to 5pm
(from Wednesday 2 April to Sunday 28 September)
Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX
Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 4.30pm
(from Wednesday 2 April to Sunday 28 September)
School Road, North Berwick, EH39 4JU
Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm
(from Wednesday 9 April to Saturday 25 October)
65 High St, Musselburgh EH21 7BZ
Thursday to Saturday 10.30am to 4pm
(from Thursday 3 April to Saturday 27 September)
Join the Big Fit Walk 2026
We're delighted to let you know that the Big Fit Walk will be taking place on Wednesday 7 October in Haddington.
The Big Fit Walk is a fun, inclusive community event that encourages people of all ages and abilities to get active, enjoy the outdoors and connect with others. Whether you're a regular walker or simply looking for an opportunity to get out and about, there will be a range of guided walks led by volunteers to suit different fitness levels and abilities.
Participants will be able to choose from a selection of routes, ranging from gentle, short walks to longer and more challenging options. All walks will be led by trained volunteers from Ageing Well who will help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.
The event is a great opportunity to:
- get active and improve your wellbeing
- meet new people and enjoy social connections
- explore local walking routes around Haddington
- take part in a positive and supportive community event
The Big Fit Walk will start from the Aubigny Sports Centre in Mill Wynd, Haddington, with registration at 10am for a 10.30am start. You can choose between a:
- gentle – 15/20 minute walk
- bronze – 30 minute walk
- silver – 45 minute walk or
- gold – 60 minute walk
Refreshments will be available on the day. No need to book but you can ask for more information by calling Parvine at Ageing Well on 07718 117585 or email pwoodger@eastlothian.gov.uk
We hope you can help make this year's Big Fit Walk another successful and enjoyable event.