East Lothian museums
​National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian,
EH39 5LF
Opening times
Winter opening November to March
Open weekends only, Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 4pm
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Cost
Adult £14.50
Child 5 to 15 £9.50
Under 5s Free
Slightly cheaper if you book online
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What they say
Discover a world-class collection of aircraft and hear the fascinating stories of the people who built and flew them at one of Scotland's top attractions.
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Learn about the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day and immerse yourself in interactive galleries, supersonic experiences and our historic hangars and airfield. Get on board Scotland's Concorde to discover what transatlantic flight was like for its passengers and crew and learn more about its supersonic legacy.
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Have a go on more than 25 hands-on interactives in our family-friendly Fantastic Flight gallery then learn about the history of East Fortune Airfield and hear the personal stories of the people who worked there in our Fortunes of War gallery.
Round off your day with a visit to our shop and cafe or bring your own picnic to enjoy in our outdoor picnic area.
Myreton Motor Museum
Aberlady, Longniddry EH32 0PZ
Opening times
November to February we are open from 10:30am till 3pm
March to October we are open from 10:30am till 4.30pm
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Cost
Adults £10
Child £5
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What they say
Myreton is home to a large and unique collection of cars, bicycles, commercials, period advertising, posters, enamel signs, pedal cars, petrol pumps and other related automobilia dating from 1899 to 1970s housed in a unique setting in the stunning East Lothian countryside.
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All of the ground floor level of the museum is wheelchair accessible, however, a small proportion of exhibits are housed at an upstairs level (mostly the small automobilia and some of the toys etc).
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Children are very welcome, however, no special facilities on site for them. However, exhibits include pedal cars, toy cars and prams etc. which children will like and all exhibits allow you to get really close so they can see inside. We also allow children to sit in a couple of the cars (with supervision) and there is a children's quiz.
​Battle of Prestonpans Jacobite Museum
Prestonpans Town hall, 157B High Street, Prestonpans, EH32 9AY
Opening times
Saturdays and Sundays from 11am till 4pm
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Cost
Free
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What they say
The museum focuses on the Battle of Prestonpans, a critical Jacobite conflict in 1745 which left a historical and cultural legacy that is still felt today. A programme of supporting exhibitions address a variety of themes as well as local history topics.
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Historical artefacts on display at the museum include musket-balls recovered from the battlefield; contemporary engravings and newspaper reports; a lock of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hair; and original letters written by local resident Colonel James Gardiner, who was mortally wounded in the battle. A piece of the thorn-tree under which he met his fate is also displayed.
The museum welcomes visitors of all ages, with children able to explore a camp area with tents and a mock campfire, allowing youngsters an insight into the lives of the soldiers who took part in the battle.
1722 Waggonway Museum
West Harbour Court, Cockenzie,
EH32 0JY
Opening times
Visit their website for opening times
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Cost
Free
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What they say
The 1722 Waggonway Heritage Centre celebrates Scotland’s oldest railway route. The centre’s museum features archaeological artefacts, models, maps, plans and photographs as well as Cadell’s Office and William Dickson’s Workshop.
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Find out where salt and coal was produced and shipped since medieval times, trading to Hanseatic ports and beyond and what new information has been gleaned from 2021 digs on the Waggonway and in the salt plans around Cockenzie.
Coastal Communities Museum
School Road, North Berwick, EH39 4JU
Opening times
Wednesday to Saturday from 11.00am till 4.00pm
Closed during the winter months
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Cost
Free
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What they say
Come and visit Coastal Communities Museum 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 – North Berwick, Dirleton, Gullane, Aberlady and Whitekirk plus the smaller inland hamlets.
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Each year we introduce a special theme to refresh the permanent display, including many family-friendly and interactive activities for visitors of all ages – from pre-school to pensioners – and with a variety of interests.
Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery
High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1ER
Opening times
Visit their website for opening times
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Cost
Free
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What they say
The Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery is one of Dunbar's oldest buildings and the perfect place to begin a visit to the town. With its distinctive witch's hat tower and its bell, clock and sun dials the Town House has been the focus of town life since the 16th century.
For over 400 years councillors and magistrates presided over the affairs of the burgh from this room including the infamous East Lothian witch trials. Below the chamber is a grimly atmospheric jail with its original massive iron door which has become a popular ghost hunting venue. In the neighbouring debtor's cell the fireplace has been preserved complete with prisoners' graffiti. The building is also home to a museum and gallery with changing historical and art exhibitions.
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Our friendly staff are always on hand to tell you about the town, the surrounding area and bring the history of the building to life.
The Flag Heritage Centre
Athelstaneford Parish Church, Athlelstaneford, EH39 5BE
Opening times
Open from April until the end of October from 9am till 6pm
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Cost
Free
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What they say
Athelstaneford is the birthplace of Scotland's national flag - the St Andrew's Cross or Saltire. Legend has it that the flag originated in a battle in 832AD, fought close by the village.
Today at Athelstaneford, visitors to the Flag Heritage Centre can enjoy a short audio-visual dramatisation, available in 7 languages, of the traditional origins of the flag.
John Gray Centre Museum
15 Lodge Street, Haddington, EH41 3DX
Opening times
Visit their website for opening times
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Cost
Free
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What they say
Discover the history of East Lothian in the innovative interactive museum at the heart of the county.
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Explore the land, the sea and discover the stories of the people who have lived here from the Stone Age to the present day, from Neolithic hunter gatherers, Iron Age tribes and Roman invaders to miners, fishermen, farmers and industrialists. Uncover how ordinary and extraordinary people earned their living and spent their time. Explore fascinating social history and find out curious facts. View wonderful paintings depicting scenes of everyday life in the county.
The permanent displays are complemented by a vibrant, constantly changing programme of exhibitions that reflect both the past and what is important to communities today.
Musselburgh Museum
65 High Street, Musselburgh, EH21 7BZ
Opening times
Visit their website for opening times
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Cost
Free
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What they say
Explore the history of Musselburgh; the Honest Toun from its earliest days through Roman settlement and medieval upheaval to its fame as a thriving fishing harbour and centre of industry during World War Two. The museum hosts a changing programme of exhibitions exploring the town's history.
Prestongrange Museum
Morrison's Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX
Opening times
Visit their website for opening times
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Cost
Free
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What they say
Explore mighty Prestongrange, a former hive of industry that employed thousands and revel in its tranquillity today.
Prestongrange is a site of major importance in the story of Scotland's Industrial Revolution. It was the location of a 16th-century harbour, a 17th-century glass works, 18th and 19th-century century potteries and 19th/20th-century colliery and brick works. Remnants of these former industries can still be seen, and many of the structures are still intact including the rare Hoffman Kiln and the Cornish Beam Engine which is unique in Scotland.
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Our friendly and knowledgeable Museum Assistants are delighted to welcome you at the Visitor Centre where there is a museum display about the site and local industries. You can learn more about Prestongrange using our self-guided mobile phone tour. Pop into our welcoming cafe for hot drinks and wrapped snacks.