Eyemouth - Best Things to Do in the Scottish Fishing Town

Eyemouth is a historic town located on the East Coast of Scotland, north of the border with England. The town has a rich history dating back to the 13th century, and historically, Eyemouth was a fishing town, an industry that is still active there today.

This is a view of Eyemouth Harbour — *View of the harbour in Eyemouth, UK*

Eyemouth’s maritime traditions also continue hosting the annual Herring Queen Festival in July and the Lifeboat Weekend in August. Adding to this is the town’s historic smuggling past, evident in its narrow streets, vennels, and underground tunnels.

All this unique history and culture makes Eyemouth an exciting historic destination that is often overlooked. In this post, we are going to explore Eyemouth and all that it has to offer. Let's get started!

Things to do in Eyemouth

Eyemouth Harbour

Eyemouth Harbour is a natural harbor that focuses on fishing, it's home to a vibrant fishing fleet and a boatyard for both fishing and commercial vessels. The harbor is a key attraction with an automated lighthouse and a beautiful facility situated near the waterfront.

Originally a fishing port, Eyemouth Harbour has been the main hub for the local fishing industry, especially for trawlers and shellfish boats. Eyemouth Harbour has a rich history, visible in its stone walls and traditional fishing boats that still operate today.

This is a view of the harbour in Eyemouth, UK — *Eyemouth Harbour view*

Over the years, Eyemouth Harbour has also become partly recreational in its functionality with yachts and pleasure boats, and it now serves as a popular spot for both locals and visitors. The surrounding area has stunning views of the North Sea and is known for its rugged coastline, meaning this is a great spot for nature lovers and photographers.

Eyemouth Harbour is one of the town's main and oldest attractions, making it a must-visit for just about anyone traveling to Eyemouth.

Berwickshire Coastal Path

Eyemouth is a great base for exploring the popular Berwickshire Coastal Path. The Berwickshire Coastal Path is a beautiful walk along the southeast coast of Scotland with stunning views of the North Sea and a wealth of natural and historical attractions.

Starting at Cockburnspath, it winds its way to the historic town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, passing through pretty coastal villages including Eyemouth. Eyemouth, with its bustling fishing community and lovely sandy beaches, is a key stop off along the path and attracts visitors passing by with its maritime heritage and local seafood.

Scenic view of the the Berwickshire Coast Path — *Walter Baxter / The Berwickshire Coast Path*

The final stop being Berwick-upon-Tweed, a town with Elizabethan walls and strategic history, making it a great end point to the scenic trail. This unique blend of scenic and historical destinations gives the Berwickshire Coastal Path a perfect combination.

Walking this path may take around 5-6 hours, but the experience is surely worth it as you get to cross from Eyemouth in Scotland to Berwick-upon-Tweed in England, seeing two sides of the United Kingdom within one long but rewarding walk.

Eyemouth Museum

Eyemouth Museum is a wee gem of a place that gives you a great insight into the town’s maritime and social history. Situated in an old church, the museum has a wide range of exhibits that cover Eyemouth’s fishing heritage, including artifacts, photographs, and stories of local fishermen and their families.

This little museum offers an in-depth look into Eyemouth's fishing history. You can see displays about the town’s shipbuilding past, the impact of the fishing industry, and significant events like the Eyemouth disaster of 1881, when a storm took the lives of several fishermen.

The Eyemouth museum also explores the area’s cultural heritage, so it’s a must-see for anyone who wants to understand Eyemouth and its connection to the sea. Overall, it's a unique museum with great exhibitions, which brings visitors closer to the town's community and fascinating heritage.

Widows and Bairns

"Widows and Bairns" looks at life in a Scottish fishing community of Eyemouth, focusing on the struggles of women and children left behind when the men go to sea. The memorial was created to remember the 129 men who went missing in the disaster of October 14, 1881. This event left 78 widows devastated, also having to cope with the loss of their husbands while bringing up the bairns (children) of the men.

The stories show the community support, the dangers of fishing, and the strength of those waiting for their loved ones to come home while honoring the men who went missing at sea. This memorial displays the culture and the resilience of Eyemouth and the togetherness that is a result of going through hard times together.

It's a must-see memorial, especially as it gives us a chance to remember the great Eyemouth fishing community.

Gunsgreen House

Gunsgreen House is a beautiful 18th-century building packed with history. Built in 1750 by local merchant John Nisbet. Gunsgreen House was used as a smuggling house, in which Nisbet hid tea to avoid extremely high taxes at the time. The stonework and façade are unique and show the wealth of the area at the time.

Today Gunsgreen House is a tourist attraction where you can learn about the maritime heritage of the area and the lives of the people who lived here. You can see the beautifully restored rooms and hear the legendary stories that shaped the historic town of Eyemouth.

Eyemouth Town Streets

Explore the town’s narrow streets and vennels, and discover the atmosphere linked to its historic smuggling past. The town is rich in history, and its little streets and traditional architecture reflect that in some places.

Walking the town streets is a great way to get a feel for the historic town and how it once was in its maritime prime. While Eyemouth is not the most bustling town filled with activity and high street shops, it does have a beautiful and unique charm that can only be found here.

Eyemouth Beach

Eyemouth Beach is just a short walk from the town center of Eyemouth. The beach has golden sands, rocky outcrops, and vibrant tide pools full of marine life in the nearby water. Eyemouth Beach is quite small and rugged with rocky surroundings, this means it's not so great for swimming, but it's still a beautiful place to sunbath, walk, and take in the ocean views.

During low tide, you can find rockpools full of fish and crabs, so it’s also a nice beach to get out and about in nature. The picturesque backdrop near Eyemouth Beach also features dramatic cliffs and scenic walking paths, perfect for exploring the beautiful coastal landscape nearby.

Go Seal watching

Eyemouth is famous for its seals, and the waters around Eyemouth are home to harbour seals and grey seals, so it’s one of the best places in Scotland to see these playful marine mammals.

This is a seal in the water of Eyemouth Harbour in Scotland — *Walter Baxter / A seal in Eyemouth harbour*

Guided boat trips depart from the harbour and allow visitors to get up close to seals basking on rocks and playing in the waves. The best time to go seal watching is during low tide when they come ashore to rest.

Seal spotting trips are very popular in Eyemouth and provide an unforgettable experience, especially as the town is known for its unique seal population.

Explore Nearby Villages

Eyemouth is situated on Scotland’s Berwickshire coast, this strategic location has it surrounded by several beautiful towns and villages that add to its coastal charm. South of Eyemouth is Burnmouth, a harbour village with great views and a peaceful atmosphere.

North of Eyemouth along the coast is St. Abbs, famous for its cliffs, diving, and St. Abbs Head Nature Reserve. South west of Eyemouth is the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, an incredible town known for its history and culture.

This is the Berwick-upon-Tweed riverside in England — *View of the Berwick-upon-Tweed riverside*

The town of Haddington is another great addition to the nearby area. Haddington is located around 40 minutes drive from Eyemouth, making it another great destination to visit. Eyemouth is also close to the villages of Ayton, Reston, and Coldingham, which means there are plenty of places to explore in the nearby area.

Together, these towns make a wonderful combination of coastal scenery, outdoor activities, and local heritage. Exploring a few of them, if not all of them, is definitely worthwhile if you have the time during your trip.

Practical Information

Go on a Food and Drink Tour

Being on the coast means Eyemouth has access to freshly caught seafood, so there are some great seafood restaurants around the town, including fish and chips, of course. You can also find traditional Scottish cuisine and local specialties. Eyemouth even has local ice cream, made with fresh cream and natural ingredients.

Sampling some of the town’s famous smoked haddock is a great way to explore the local flavors and enjoy a unique and delicious dish. The town is also home to a number of lovely gastropubs like The Craw Inn and the Tavern Bar Restaurant, where you can enjoy a delicious meal and wash it all down with a pint of local ale or a glass of wine.

Hotels in Eyemouth

Eyemouth is a small town, meaning it has limited accommodation, however, it does still offer some great guesthouses and smaller hotels. If you would like to experience a more luxurious setting, then it will probably be worth staying in the nearby countryside and visiting Eyemouth during your stay. But for those just wanting to visit the town, there are still a good variety of options in the town centre area.

Booking.com

Due to the limited number of places to stay, it would be a good idea to book in advance, as it can get fully booked during the weekend or in the summer.

Summary

Eyemouth is a beautiful little town with so much to see and do. It's underrated and often overlooked as a travel destination, but this gives Eyemouth a quietness that allows visitors to enjoy the peaceful seaside town, which isn't overcrowded. There is a ton of history in Eyemouth Harbour, and its seal population is a must-see for just about anyone visiting the town. Overall, Eyemouth is a great destination for anyone visiting Scotland.