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
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 East Lothian 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.
Friday 17 April to 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.
Glory Days by Catriona Simpson
A series of paintings informed by archival photographs, community stories and personal recollections connected to Dunbar Pool. Through figurative imagery and shared moments, the work examines memory and place, reflecting on the role of communal spaces in shaping collective experiences.
Wednesday 1 April to Sunday 10 May
Open Wednesday to Sunday 1 to 5pm. Free admission.
Dunbar Town House Museum and 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 1 to 5pm.
John Muir’s Birthplace, High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1JJ.
Free admission
Summers in Dunbar
In this exhibition we celebrate Dunbar as a tourist destination and as a place where locals and visitors have all enjoyed summers in the past. Many still recall the heyday of Dunbar’s outdoor swimming pool, golf championships, horse events, pony trekking and children’s summer activities.
Dunbar and District History Society holds a large collection of early tourist brochures. The exhibition invites you to look at just some aspects of summers in our town, while also allowing the brochures to tell the story.
We would be delighted to receive new photographs or other material from the past, to add to this collection. All original images can be copied and returned.
April to June courtesy of Dunbar and District History Society.
Open Wednesday to Sunday 1pm to 5pm.
Free admission.
Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.
The Royal Company of Archers
Coinciding with the annual competition for the historic Musselburgh Arrow - believed to be the oldest sporting trophy in the world still competed for annually. The exhibition explores the competition’s origins, which date back to 1603, and its long association with The Royal Company of Archers since 1676.
April to the end of May.
Thursday to Saturday 10.30am to 4pm. Free admission.
Musselburgh Museum, 65 High St, Musselburgh EH21 7BZ.
Coastal Communities Museum
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.
Have a look in our Collectors’ Corner, Children’s Area, see the detailed models of the old shops in Aberlady, the exhibit celebrating North Berwick’s award-winning Gaelic choir and video footage of the North Berwick Law Race continue to be a particular favourite with visitors.
We are excited for the new season ahead and look forward to welcoming you to the Museum soon.
Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm. Free admission.
Coastal Communities Museum School Road, North Berwick, EH39 4JU.
Events
Wee Wednesdays
Wednesday mornings at Prestongrange Museum, 10am to 10.30am, Bookbug for 0 to 5s and their parents/carers, no charge. Followed by craft activity, £1 per child.
Prestongrange Museum, Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX.
Sketchwander
Explore nature connections and pathways around Dunbar High Street with artist Lynn Fraser (Fantoosh). Enjoy a gentle ‘sketchnoting’ walk then use the materials and ideas you have gathered to make a communal fanzine.
Saturday 23 May 10am to 12.30pm /1pm - ‘Sketchnoting’ walk
Sunday 24 May 2pm to 4pm - Fanzine workshop
For further information please email museumseast@eastlothian.gov.uk
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)