Take a leaf out of nature's book on this scenic spin

THE route begins at Longniddry Station, using the Longniddry to Haddington off-road cycle path which starts on the B1377 just after the roundabout at Lyars Road.

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Distance:

22 km (13.5 miles). Circular route.

Maps:

OS Landranger sheet 66 and Spokes East Lothian Cycle Map.

Start and finish:

Longniddry Railway Station.

Terrain:

Cycle route and minor roads. Undulating with stretches of steeper hills.

Refreshments:

Places in Longniddry and Haddington.

The railway path swings inland for a little over 6km towards Haddington, and you are in the depths of the country within minutes. Unlike most railway paths, which are slate-grey in colour, this one is red for most of its length, in keeping with the surrounding countryside.

Eventually you become aware of the A1 traffic roar, but at this stage you go under the bypass and into the outskirts of Haddington, where a toucan crossing awaits to guide you safely on to the final stretch of track.

This route ends at Alderston Road. Turn right and follow this to its end where it joints West Road - the B6471. Turn left here, and continue the short distance to the town centre. Today this beautiful market town is once more the county town of East Lothian.

There are many interesting places to see, and it is well worth taking some time to look around.

Don't worry about parking your bike, as there are plenty of parking stands dotted around the town.

Haddington, situated in the Tyne Valley, was created a Royal Burgh by King David I. David's grandson, William, who succeeded Malcolm VI as king of Scotland, had a palace built in Haddington, and it was there that Alexander II was born in 1214.

In 1386 the town was put to the torch by Edward III, who comprehensively laid waste to it - including the beautiful church built by monks of the Franciscan order to rival the abbey at Newbattle.

This church, because of its remarkable beauty, was known as the Lamp of Lothian. This name was also given to the church of St Mary built later to replace the abbey church. This later church, itself a ruin until recently, has been completely restored by the Lamp of Lothian Trust.

In 1598, Haddington was again burned, the calamity having been caused through the carelessness of a maidservant who placed a screen covered with clothes too near a fireplace during the night, setting the house on fire.

The blaze quickly spread, destroying many buildings in its wake. As a result of this, the local magistrate decreed that henceforth the town crier should tour the town during the winter evenings, warning people to guard against fire.

The ceremony acquired the name of Coal an' Can'le, at which the following verses were recited by the crier.

A' guid man's servants where'er ye be, Keep coal an' can'le for charitie!

Baith in your kitchen an' your ha', Keep weel your fires whate'er befa'!

In bakehouse, brewhouse, barn and byre, I warn ye a' keep weel your fire!

For oftentimes a little spark Brings mony hands to meikle wark!

Ye nourrices that hae bairns to keep, See that ye fa' nae o'er sound asleep,

For losing o' your guid renoun, An' banishing o' this barrous toun.

'Tis, for your sakes that I do cry: Tak warning by your neighbour's bye!

At Giffordgate in the east end of the town is the place where John Knox - one of the orchestrators of the Reformation in Scotland, was born between 1505 and 1515 (the date is disputed by historians).

The route continues down Market Street, left into Hardgate and then straight on to Dunbar Road, where it continues to Haldane Avenue.

Turn right here and follow the cycle lane to the roundabout, where you should use the pavement to circumnavigate this double roundabout system.

Follow the minor road signposted for Drem. After an initial steep and lengthy incline, gaining more than 100 metres in elevation in less than two kilometres, the road begins to drop down towards the coast.

This section of the route affords beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, stretching as far as Edinburgh in the west and Berwick Law in the east.

Closer to hand there is a view of the chimney-shaped Hopetoun monument, which was erected in memory of the fourth Earl of Haddington.

Carry straight on at the split road junction, but before doing so, if you deviate a few metres to the right, you will get a good view of the ruins of Garleton Castle, birthplace of Sir David Lindsay, the famous 16th century playwright. As you ride downhill, just after Campstoun you will pass the entrance to the site of an Iron Age fort called the Chesters, to the east of the road.

The fort is well preserved, with an elaborate system of ramparts and ditches. This site is run by Historic Scotland and is well worth taking the time to stop and have a look.

Returning to the route, continue to the T-junction with the B1377, where a left turn is made. Follow this road in a westerly direction for 6km back to Longniddry.