Coastal Communities Museum

Coastal Communities Museum in North Berwick is a lively, community‑run museum celebrating the heritage of East Lothian’s seaside towns. Housed in the old school building, it offers an engaging look at how coastal life has shaped local identity, from fishing and boatbuilding to leisure, tourism and everyday traditions. Its displays are compact but full of character, making it an ideal stop for visitors who enjoy stories rooted in place. Inside, you’ll find exhibits on traditional fishing practices, including tools, nets and photographs that capture the era when herring fleets dominated the coastline. A beautifully crafted model of a “Fifie” fishing boat is one of the museum’s highlights, illustrating the skill and engineering behind these iconic vessels. The museum also explores the rise of seaside holidays, with vintage posters, bathing costumes and objects from old beach huts that evoke the charm of early tourism. Local crafts, maritime memorabilia and personal stories add depth, showing how communities adapted to changing industries and coastal environments. Temporary exhibitions often focus on themes such as wildlife, shipwrecks or local artists, keeping the museum fresh and varied.