Old Harbour, Dunbar

Old Harbour in Dunbar dates from the earliest to mid-17th century, with significant works completed in 1717. The harbour measures 565 feet and features retaining walls on the eastern pier, which is a principal element sheltering the inner basin to the south and a larger basin to the north. The western side is stepped with wharves, and there is a return pier at the northeast by the entrance.

The eastern pier shows marked variation in masonry, partly due to repairs. The outer eastern wall has a large area of vertically-set stone, while the western face consists of sandstone slabs and blocks arranged obliquely and vertically. A flight of steps at an angle of the pier leads to the inner basin and is severely weathered. There is a rubble parapet wall on the eastern side of the walkway, which divides at its widest point into higher and lower levels, with flagstone edging. The pierhead was rebuilt in 1879 at the extreme north.

The return pier, likely built in 1717, runs at a northwest angle and is 170 feet long, ending at the harbour entrance. The original masonry on the southwest side features squared and coursed blocks, with a parapet secured by iron bolts. There is a short return wall at the south of the southwest end. A boom pier added in 1888 extends 30 feet from the returned pier and is constructed of large masonry and concrete.

To the west, the quays are made of more regularly coursed sandstone rubble blocks, with a chase groove pair to the northeast opposite the boom pier. The coal wharf, built in 1761 at the southern corner of the inner basin, slopes down to the harbour floor and features large cobbles, setts, and bordering slabs. East of the eastern pier parapet, there is a ramp made of large setts and bordering sandstone slabs, some of which bear inscriptions. Pawls remain at intervals along the structure.