Hedderwick, January - a few of the hundreds of swans (some mute, many whooper) which gather on the flat fields inland from Belhaven Bay for a few days, before continuing their migration

From the Beltonford roundabout, the A1087 runs between fields until it reaches a hump-backed bridge over the Biel Burn, the entrance to West Barns. Notice the brick-built houses on your right as you approach the bridge, just after the 30 mph speed limit sign. They are all that is left of once-important industries powered by the water of the Biel  --  the Jubilee tree in West Barns, with lights for Christmas every year paper, bricks and tiles, and beer. Famous racehorses were bred here, and there is still a stable. By the bus stop on the village green, outside the inn, a tall blue cedar tree is a wonderful site in midwinter, covered in coloured lights. It was planted in 1935 for the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary. West Barns village from the Skyview photo. Seafield Pond in the centre was once part of the brickworks. The white house, Battleblent, on the right beyond the primary school, was built in the mid19th century for the brickworks owner. Digging for its foundations uncovered a trench where the bones of soldiers and horses were buried together after the battle of Dunbar more than 2 centuries earlier. Travelling on, beware of traffic lights; then pass the West Barns Bowling Club, a pond (once an important part of the Seafield Brick and Tile works) and a caravan site among trees on the north (seaward) side of the road, with West Barns Primary School and the distinctive white house called Battleblent on the higher ground to the south. At last you are in Belhaven.

the centre of Skyview's copyright photo of Belhaven

At the crossroads the A1087 starts to rise; it's now Belhaven High Street - not to be confused with 'the High Street' which is in Dunbar. Beveridge Row runs south from the crossroads to the Hospital (small, mostly geriatric, with a ward for the use of the local doctors; you have to go to Edinburgh for serious accident and emergency treatment). Higher up the hill Brewery Lane runs south to part of the famous Belhaven Brewery (which often welcomes visitors). Halfway up the hill you'll find the Mason's Arms pub, and Belhaven parish Church; dating from mid 19th century. The white stone is from Catcraig, on the shore south of Dunbar near today's huge cement quarry. Belhaven Parish Church is at the top. Opposite the church, Summerfield Road goes past Dunbar Grammar School on the left, with a small shop where you can get rolls and newspapers on the right. Down the hill beyond the shop, a road to the right takes you into an area known as "the Trees" because each street has the name of a tree. You can get back to Brewery Lane from here.

Going into Belhaven on the A1087 from Dunbar

The main road carries on to the centre of Dunbar, changing its name from High Street to Belhaven Road. Looking down Belhaven High Street from outside the pub on a November day. Traprain Law on horizon, Brewery Lane on left, Duke Street on right Returning to Belhaven you can see Traprain Law in the distance as you go down the hill towards the junction with Duke Street. Note that there is another Duke Street in West Barns.

Looking down Duke Street from the High Street; entrance to Pumpkin Patch Nursery on right

The old village of Belhaven also includes, to the north, Looking up Duke street in summertime. Red wall on left is now lemon coloured. Houses beyond were rebuilt in the 1930s using old stones, architect Basil Spence Shore Road, Looking up Duke Street from Shore Road North Street, the boundary wall of Belhaven Manor in North Street and Back Road. Looking up Back Road from Shore Road The sandstone boundary walls are a colourful feature of the district.

The railway line between London and Edinburgh runs close to the hospital. Built in 1846, the line stopped Dunbar town sprawling over the woods and fields until recently.