The Missing Link
The fragile Dunbar coastline has been much abused by development. With managed retreat we could give nature a chance.
The 1983 Storm
1890s, 1960s, 1983 and 2010 all saw substantial storms
Dunbar
Dunbar. Click to expand.
If recent history is anything to go by coastal flooding is on the increase and predictions of sea level rise suggest it will get worse, but is anyone in the council paying attention?
The East Esplanade
The East Esplanade. Click to expand.
1983 the wall along the East Esplanade is destroyed by a storm
Breach
Breach. Click to expand.
The breaches were extensive
Coastal erosion
Coastal erosion. Click to expand.
The date is 1st Feb 1983 and, as told elsewhere this storm was not as damaging as some that preceded and followed it. (nota bene the old footpath sensibly followed the wall in olden times)
The Rough takes on a new meaning
The Rough takes on a new meaning. Click to expand.
Looking South East towards Broxmouth Lake, with the Deer Park to the right and and Fluke Dub out of shot on the left
The Vaults
The Vaults. Click to expand.
Looking towards the Vaults. In 1983 the woodlands are still young and the views to the Blue Circle opencast cement mining operation are wide open.
A Natural Depression
A Natural Depression. Click to expand.
Looking towards Broxmouth Park from West of Fluke Dub showing the last access point from the coastal path to the Deer Park - the slacks are rough grassland today supporting a diverse mix of locally unusual grasses, orchids and other flora.
Debris Field
Debris Field. Click to expand.
A new natural boundary in the making.
The Granary
The Granary. Click to expand.
Looking back towards Dunbar, the old Granary can be distinguished
Bunkered
Bunkered. Click to expand.
A series of bunkers scoured by the storm, looking due South to the Deer Park.
The Club House
The Club House. Click to expand.
Looking North towards the Old Club House, which is now vulnerable, to the impacts of time and passing fashions.
The Deer Park
The Deer Park. Click to expand.
The Deer Park with a very distinctive line of trees decorating the ridge was the site of Blue Circle's social club and subject of multiple planning applications, thankfully all failed.
Broxmouth Lake Overflow
Broxmouth Lake Overflow. Click to expand.
From the shore looking towards Broxmouth Lake and Park. The water backing up may be the lake overflow, today canalised.
Debris field
Debris field. Click to expand.
Somewhere south of Fluke Dub looking South East towards Broxmouth Park and Lake
Blue Circle
Blue Circle. Click to expand.
The legacy
The Vaults
The Vaults. Click to expand.
The tour ends, but not the flooding.
Dunbar
If recent history is anything to go by coastal flooding is on the increase and predictions of sea level rise suggest it will get worse, but is anyone in the council paying attention?
The East Esplanade
1983 the wall along the East Esplanade is destroyed by a storm
Click the found images to zoom in.
Breach
The breaches were extensive
Coastal erosion
The date is 1st Feb 1983 and, as told elsewhere this storm was not as damaging as some that preceded and followed it. (nota bene the old footpath sensibly followed the wall in olden times)
The Rough takes on a new meaning
Looking South East towards Broxmouth Lake, with the Deer Park to the right and and Fluke Dub out of shot on the left
The Vaults
Looking towards the Vaults. In 1983 the woodlands are still young and the views to the Blue Circle opencast cement mining operation are wide open.
A Natural Depression
Looking towards Broxmouth Park from West of Fluke Dub showing the last access point from the coastal path to the Deer Park - the slacks are rough grassland today supporting a diverse mix of locally unusual grasses, orchids and other flora.
Debris Field
A new natural boundary in the making.
The Granary
Looking back towards Dunbar, the old Granary can be distinguished
Bunkered
A series of bunkers scoured by the storm, looking due South to the Deer Park.
The Club House
Looking North towards the Old Club House, which is now vulnerable, to the impacts of time and passing fashions.
The Deer Park
The Deer Park with a very distinctive line of trees decorating the ridge was the site of Blue Circle's social club and subject of multiple planning applications , thankfully all failed.
Broxmouth Lake Overflow
From the shore looking towards Broxmouth Lake and Park. The water backing up may be the lake overflow, today canalised.
Debris field
Somewhere south of Fluke Dub looking South East towards Broxmouth Park and Lake
Blue Circle
The legacy
The Vaults
The tour ends, but not the flooding.
Imagine a 3m storm surge
These predictions give an idea of the possible areas of inundation
Climate Central models sea level rises (blue), but the SEPA coastal flooding predictions (green) incorporate the effect of river levels too (blue)
What might happen to the John Muir Link?
If the past is anything to go by further erosion is expected
The coastal path has always been unstable ... so much so that the original footpath was "designed" to more sensibly follow the walls of the Deer Park and Broxmouth House
