Five of the best beach walks around Edinburgh and East Lothian

In the summer this beach can be quite popular so be prepared for crowds but in autumn or winter, though you may need to wrap up, you can have the beach to yourself.

This six mile walk should take up to 2 or 3 hours and starts at Church Street in North Berwick, where you will find a a small slipway that leads on to the beach.

When the tide is high you can follow a path at the top of the beach to get around a series of small rocky outcrops before reaching a long stretch of beach, Broad Sands.

Follow this round for about two thirds of a mile until you reach Yellowcraig beach. When returning to North Berwick there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat but if you are a seafood fan and it's summer or springtime, then the Lobster Shack near the Scottish Seabird Centre (which is also great for kids) is worth checking out.

This walk is shorter than the rest but perfect for a picnic and takes in views of Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle. (Tip - Take some binoculars because each year 140,000 Atlantic gannets nest on the rock – the world's largest single rock gannet colony).

The beach at Seacliff, which lies just north of North Berwick, is privately owned but can be accessed for a small fee of £2 (well worth it). The walk should only take an hour and it's important to check the tidal times but it is a beautiful beach with plenty of interesting landmarks to take in.

Beginning from the parking area, walk towards The Gegan – an outcrop of rocks where you will come across one of the smallest harbours in the world, carved out of rock with the help of a steam engine and compressed air at the end of the 19th century by a laird of Seacliff.

From here you also get a fantastic view of the 14th-century stronghold of the Douglases, Tantallon Castle.

Then head back down the beach past St Baldred's Boat to a small bay from where, through the trees, you get a glimpse of the ruins of Seacliff House, which was originally built in the 18th century but burned down in 1907.

Cramond is another cracking destination for a walk, the charming coastal town has many points of interest and a rich history that make it well worth visiting.

There are two major walks here, which can be combined to make one long walk should you desire something a little more testing.

The first part of the walk takes you to Cramond Island via a tidal causeway, which will be obvious to see by the the triangular submarine barriers that mark it. The tidal crossing times are posted on a board at the end of the Causeway, if you are outwith these take the second walk along the River Almond and come back later. As always in these things it is better to be safe than sorry.

If it is within the times posted then follow the concrete causeway until it reaches the island, taking time to explore the military buildings that are dotted about it before returning along the causeway (keeping not of the time to avoid being stranded by the tide.

The second walk starts at the harbour and the boats that are moored there. Heading upstream, a path begins after Cramond Boat Club, following the River Almond Walkway until you reach a pleasant wooded path.

Head up a flight of steps, along a short boardwalk and down a further flight to return to the easy path. A surfaced road leads to Old Cramond Brig (a bridge built in the 16th century), here you can turn around and retrace your steps back to Cramond.

For those looking for something a little more testing, then taking a walk along the east coast trail of the John Muir Way from North Berwick to the finishing point at Dunbar might be more your thing.

This part of the route takes, on average, 5 hours to complete and is a more enjoyable day out for experienced walkers looking for a great way to while away the day taking in some great scenery.

According to the website (http://johnmuirway.org/route/north-berwick-dunbar) journeying southwards from North Berwick provides you "with an opportunity to climb Berwick Law, which gives you great views both east and west of the town, to Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh and Tantallon Castle south of Dunbar".

Trekking through the country tracks you’ll eventually reach the small town of East Linton, where you will find the wonderful looking Phantassie Doocot (originally used to house birds) and Preston Mill.

From there, you follow the Tyne for a while, until you reach the coast and beaches of John Muir Country Park and then on to the finish line at Dunbar.

The last walk is slightly more sedate and takes in the 12th-century Seton Collegiate Church and the beaches beyond.

Heading towards Longniddry on the A198, there is a Historic Scotland car park about 1 miles east of the Tranent junction of the A1.

When arriving at the car park, there is a small path that leads down into some trees, follow the path round the Seton Collegiate Church and into the field beyond.

There should be a gate in the left corner of the field. Go through this and another gate on the right to follow a path on the other side.

After about 400 yards, go through another gate, cross a road and go right to Seton Sands.

Follow the beach for about a mile before crossing a small burn leading to another small car park

Go right along the road and after about 60 yards go left, up a smaller road. A path on the right leads up Longniddry Dean. Walk parallel with the road, then go though a wooden gate. Continue through trees to the A198. Go right to get back to the original car park.