Longniddry Bents

It’s easy to take for granted what we have and in those few moments we put our photos down, this is a great place to do so.
Day time with the wind surfers is beautiful and awesome to watch, but why someone would choose to do such a thing is beyond me in this weather.
Walks are nice and between song birds and the occasional fox, hedgehog or inquisitive seal adds to the charm. Sunsets in the Autumn are spectacular and Autumn is always best for the Northern lights in a clear sky.
I haven’t been here after sunset, but after reading the comments previous, I wonder if I should…
Just kidding!

There is no way I can top Isaac F’s description of Longniddry Bents… but what I can vouch for is that it’s a beautiful spot on the coast. I spent my lunch chowing down on a ma-​hoosive baguette from the Filling Station in Longniddry and watching kite surfers hypnotically surf from one side to another. It’s a sandy cove ripe with people watching — parents out with small kids, dogwalkers, eponymous kite surfers of all shapes and sizes. It seems they are a permanent fixture here and I do have to wonder, outside of a bank holiday, what jobs do these wetsuit clad folk do that they can come down on a Monday morning and surf the day away? Certainly not my 9 – 5, and for that I am envious.

I truly wish Unilocal allowed me to give the rating twice, because for this area of local beauty it needs two ratings — one for during the day, one for during the night, the former an indisputable five stars, the latter one star with a public health warning. Instead I’ll have to give this place three stars, but if you’re visiting during the day it’s definitely a five-​star spot.
The beach stretches for two miles and though there is a problem with litter it’s not an excessive issue. Parts of the beach are rocky with shallow pools, parts are golden sand, and the view over the water is simply breathtaking. I’ve mentioned in some of my other reviews that I like to park up sometimes and do some writing on my netbook, sat in my car, normally at a beautiful spot, and while I lived in Edinburgh this was one of my favourite places to write. It is inspirational, peaceful even in the height of summer and you have a choice of three car parks, one with concrete roads, one a rocky dirt area, both exposed where your car will be visible from the beach, and a third more secluded for those who like to park in the shade.
There’s a gorgeous footpath that runs parallel to the beach and the views from it are spectacular. Teeming with wildlife and wild flowers, in the spring the scent is intoxicating. At two of the car parks there are even public toilets, not the cleanest but certainly usable.
BE WARNED, however, DO NOT STAY THERE AFTER DARK!
Well, I’m sure for some the nightlife will appeal, but I was somewhat shocked to discover what goes on there after dark, perhaps because of the way I discovered it.
I went out there one night when the stars were particularly bright and I wanted to find a quiet place to sit and think. I parked up where I had a view of the ocean and watched the sun go down, then went for a moonlit stroll along the sandy beach before returning to my car, turning on my radio and just lying back, closing my eyes, relaxing.
All was well for the first hour, but then I became aware of a few cars pulling into the car park. I assumed they belonged to people like me just looking for some peace and quiet so I didn’t give it a second thought until someone tapped on my window. I found it a little annoying that someone would intrude on my solitude, but I assumed it was either someone I knew or someone wanting directions or something innocent like that, so I reached to open my window, glanced out… and froze.
On the other side of the glass I saw not a face, but exposed, wrinkly genitals I would soon discover belonged to a man who was at least sixty years of age. All I could do was stare at them in disbelief for the few seconds it took their owner to notice the expression of sheer horror on my face and realise he had come to the wrong car.
As beautiful as Longniddry Bents are during the day, at night they are a popular dogging spot frequented by single men and occasionally couples. I learned this fact by speaking to another visitor that same evening, a gentleman who apparently visited every night «just for the conversation».
I suppose many people would have a problem with such activity. I’m not one of them. Not my thing, but I don’t presume to dictate how other people have their fun. However, for the unsuspecting visitor it can be quite a shock, so be warned.