Gullane Point can be reached from Gullane Bents Car Park (
N56.02.263 W002.50.583 there is a charge during the summer
season) or through Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve. The Gullane route
is out and back (although you can vary it by taking the cliff-top
path one way and "beach-hopping" the other). The Aberlady Bay route
is a "lollipop" (circle and stick) that takes you back to your
start point. It is a favourite early morning or evening run of mine
and is the route described here.
Note: If you come with a dog you must use the Gullane route
as no dogs are allowed in the nature reserve.
There is a small carpark at N56 00.856 W002 50.987 It
gets full quickly on sunny days and parking spills onto the
roadside. Cross over the wooden causeway into the reserve and
follow the path, keeping an eye open for the roe deer and other
inhabitants. The path soon skirts Gullane Links on your right and
divides at the corner of the course. Take the right fork along the
northern edge of the links and up the small brae. Where the path
forks again, follow the sign to Gullane Point.
Locate the cache and sit with the sea and the rocks and the
sea-pink awhile. Then follow the path across the next small cove
and over the point onto the expanse of Gullane Sands. Run along the
tide-line and play the "Chariots of Fire" theme in your head. There
are fine views over the Firth of Forth to the Fife Lomonds and
along the Forth to Edinburgh. It is a great place, particularly
early in the morning or at sunset.
Continue along the beach to a break in the dunes and the
footpath that will take you back to the start point.
PS. Beware. The hint is infuriating!