It seems strange now that the extensive shallow Aberlady Bay was the well known port for the burgh of Haddington for hundreds of years as now there is only the shallow Peffer Burn wending its way at low tide towards the open sea a considerable distance to the west. The place where vessels of 70 to 80 tonnes came to anchor is at this spot just north of the former Custom House. Since the port was abandoned in the 19th century the bay has silted up with extensive mud and sand flats and there is very little evidence of its previous maritime importance except for the abandoned wrecks of eight fishing boats which are visible at low tide and listed as scheduled monuments. The remains of two carts with two steel rimmed wheels and axles must have been left over from the time when goods were transported onto the boats. One cart can be seen further along near the rocks.
About a kilometre further out are the remains of two WW2 mini-submarines that can be seen at low tide and are a poignant reminder of the submersible in which five men died in their quest to see the Titanic this week