Museum's: what's on in October 2026

Museums: what's on in October 2026

All our museums are FREE to visit. We have some fantastic exhibitions and annual events to look forward to.

Cinematic East Lothian

EXHIBITIONS

NEW EXHIBITION: Cinematic East Lothian

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of East Lothian Libraries’ Local History Centre, this exhibition showcases a brief history of the old picture houses of East Lothian, popular film locations in the county, nostalgic items in the Museum collection as well as items in the private collection of local residents and groups, and screenings of short films with a local history theme. This exhibition aims to evoke treasured memories of Saturday matinees, crowded foyers and nights spent lost in the visual pleasures of the silver screen.

Friday 2 October 2026 to Thursday 8 April 2027.

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.

NEW EXHIBITION: John Muir Country Park 50th Anniversary

John Muir Birthplace 50 Bass Rock

Exhibition of photography and reflections by staff, volunteers and junior rangers.

20 October 2026 to mid January 2027.

Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm.

John Muir’s Birthplace, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1JJ.

Free admission.

NEW DISPLAY: Working Lives at Dunbar Town House

DTH Working Lives montage v2

Dunbar’s Town House or Tolbooth is more than 400 years old and touched the lives of many people through the Town Council, Police Station, Library, Registrars, Tourist Information, Housing Office, MP and MSP office, Museum and many more.

Do you know someone who worked here? Have you been to a wedding here? We would love to hear your stories and see your photos.

Step back in time as we help you discover the hidden past of this iconic building.

October to March

Open Saturday 2pm to 4pm courtesy of Dunbar and District History Society.

Free admission.

Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.

Place-names of East Lothian: A journey through time

Image of East Linton — East Linton. This settlement 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.

Dunbar? Lamer Street? Friarscroft?

What does it mean?

Where did the name come from?

Dunbar and 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.

As Liz explains: "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: https://spns.org.uk

Courtesy of Dunbar and District History Society

Open Saturday 2pm to 4pm.

Free admission.

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.

LAST CHANCE TO SEE: Coastal Communities Museum

George Mitchell Farming, Dirleton 1962 — *George Mitchell and his Combine, Archerfield, Dirleton, 1962 © East Lothian Council Archives*

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.

Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm. Free admission.

Coastal Communities Museum School Road, North Berwick EH39 4JU.

Events and activities

Art Route Dunbar

Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October 2026

Explore incredible art in Dunbar: 32 venues and 55 artists

www.dunbarartroute.co.uk

Art Route logo 2026

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery will be hosting eight installations:

Dunbar Cancer Tapestry

Barbara Gardener Rowell – textile

Alexandra Bell – sound and light installation

Mandy Thomson – painter

Iona Molleson – painter

Annie Green – painter

Anne Gillies – painter

Karin Chipulina – mixed media

Open Friday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Free admission.

Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.

Family drop in activities

Our museums all have free admission and have drop-in craft activities for families.

Autumn and Winter museum opportunities

explore historic records and online exhibitions or pop in for a visit to discover the history of East Lothian in 1000 objects in this innovative, interactive museum at John Gray Centre in Haddington. Uncover how ordinary and extraordinary people earned their living and spent their time from the Stone Age to the present day. Temporary exhibition about local D Day veteran, fisherman, husband, father and great dancer Charlie Horn! johngraycentre.org
visit John Muir’s Birthplace and discover how a boy born in Dunbar became one of the driving forces behind the global conservation movement. His life and work continue to inspire people all over the world. Today his legacy helps connect with wellbeing, sustainability and communities. jmbt.org.uk
explore the woods and grounds of Prestongrange Museums using the mobile phone tour as a guide through 400 years of local industry. The harbour, glass works, pottery, colliery and brickworks have all left their marks on the landscape including winding gear, a vast brick kiln and a Cornish beam engine. eastlothian.gov.uk/prestongrange
take a tour of Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery with Dunbar & District History Society. The Town House has been the focus of town life since the 16th century and is home to a local history display and the temporary exhibition about shopfronts. eastlothian.gov.uk/dunbar-town-house