The Lothians
The Lothians
The Lothians are situated in the southeastern part of the country, encircling the capital city, Edinburgh, and bordering the North Sea, the Scottish Borders, and Central Scotland. Traditionally divided into three sub-regions – East Lothian, West Lothian, and Midlothian – the Lothians offer visitors a wide range of attractions and a tapestry of landscapes to explore.
East Lothian, often referred to as the ‘Garden of Scotland’ due to its fertile farmlands, is renowned for its beautiful coastline which is peppered with sandy beaches and hidden coves. Midlothian, meanwhile, boasts the dramatic Pentland Hills which are popular for hillwalking and mountain biking, and West Lothian is characterised by rolling countryside and the Bathgate Hills to the south.
When it comes to quaint towns and villages, the Lothians are second to none. In East Lothian, you’ll find Haddington, a sleepy town with an array of boutique shops, as well as North Berwick, a pretty seaside resort town famous for attractions like the Scottish Seabird Centre and Berwick Law.
Midlothian is home to the historic mining villages of Newtongrange and Gorebridge (home of the National Mining Museum), while West Lothian boasts the town of Livingston which has one of the largest shopping centres in southeast Scotland.
With regards to wildlife, the Lothians are teeming with flora and fauna. The John Muir Country Park in East Lothian is a vital habitat for various birds and the Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve is a paradise for migratory birds like pink-footed geese and eider ducks.
Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning coastal walks of the John Muir Way and families will enjoy visiting places like the National Museum of Flight, Dalkeith Country Park, and the Jupiter Artland sculpture park, to name just a few.
History buffs, meanwhile, can explore the ancient Rosslyn Chapel featured in ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, as well as Tantallon Castle (the oldest curtain-walled castle in Scotland) and Blackness Castle which has an unusual shape that led to its nickname ‘the ship that never sailed’.
Subcategories
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A Guide to Historic Attractions in East Lothian
The historic county of East Lothian is situated to the east of Edinburgh and is highly-regarded for its historic buildings and castles. Discover the best historic attractions in East Lothian in this complete visitor guide which includes suggestions for places to visit and information about the main towns.
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Aberlady Bay Visitor Guide
Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve is a small but exceptionally scenic stretch of East Lothian coastline situated between the coastal villages of Longniddry and Gullane. It is a popular destination for walkers as well as photographers due to the wildlife that thrives near the beach overlooking the Firth of Forth. Visitors can see a wide…
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Archerfield Walled Garden Visitor Guide
Nestled in the picturesque countryside of East Lothian lies a hidden gem that is a much-loved attraction for locals and tourists alike. Archerfield Walled Garden is a beautifully restored 18th-century garden that features beautifully manicured lawns and flower beds, a delightful garden café, and a charming gift shop. In this article, you’ll discover the fascinating…
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Athelstaneford Visitor Guide
This walk from the East Lothian village of Athelstaneford – the birthplace of Scotland’s Saltire flag – passes ancient hill forts and beautiful countryside in an often-missed part of the country that’s close to Edinburgh. Discover this scenic village and the area that lead to the founding of the flag in this guide which includes…
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Bass Rock Visitor Guide
The Bass Rock is an island in the outer part of the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland. The volcanic rock is home to one of the world’s largest colonies of gannets, and visitors can take a boat from the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick to see the Bass Rock and its noisy inhabitants close up.
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Blackness Castle Visitor Guide
Blackness Castle is a formidable 15th-century castle that stands on the shores of the Firth of Forth in the county of Falkirk. The castle is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and it is open daily for self-guided tours. Discover Blackness Castle with this complete guide.
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Crichton Castle Visitor Guide
Crichton Castle – situated in the rolling countryside of Midlothian – was built in the 1300s for the once-powerful Crichton family. The majority of the structure is roofless and in ruin, but visitors are welcome to explore it on a self-guided tour thanks to the restoration work undertaken by Historic Environment Scotland.
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Dalkeith Country Park Visitor Guide
Dalkeith Country Park is located near Edinburgh in Midlothian. The historic estate features large grounds that include woodland and farmland where visitors can walk for several miles on rough tracks and tarmacked roads. Restoration Yard is a visitor centre that includes a children’s adventure park, gift shops and a restaurant. Entrance to Dalkeith Country Park…
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Dirleton Castle Visitor Guide
Dirleton Castle in East Lothian served three Scottish noble families for over 400 years. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Discover the castle and gardens in this guide which includes an overview and handy visiting tips.
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Dryden Tower Visitor Guide
Welcome to the hidden gem of Midlothian – Dryden Tower. Nestled amidst the lush farmland of the Dryden Estate near Bilston, this intriguing structure is a prominent landmark and is the highlight of the popular Roslin-Loanhead-Bilston circular walking trail. Despite its secluded location, Dryden Tower is a popular landmark to visit, especially for anyone looking…
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Dunbar Beach Visitor Guide
Nestled along the eastern coastline of Scotland lies a hidden gem, Belhaven Beach near Dunbar in East Lothian. Known for its expansive golden sand and panoramic views of the North Sea, Belhaven Beach is a must-see destination for both locals and tourists alike. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Belhaven…
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Dunbar Harbour Visitor Guide
The historic harbour at Dunbar in East Lothian dates from the 17th century. At that time it was primarily used for fishing vessels and while it is still used for commercial shellfishing today it is also a tourist attraction that offers visitors superb views across the North Sea from the Dunbar Battery.
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East Links Family Park Visitor Guide
East Links Family Park in East Lothian is a family adventure park where kids of all ages can run, jump, slide and bounce in a variety of fun activities. The animal-themed park borders the John Muir Country Park and Belhaven Bay near Dunbar. Discover one of East Lothian’s top family attractions in this comprehensive visitor…
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Fascinating Facts About Attractions in East Lothian
East Lothian, often referred to as the ‘Golf Coast’, is a county in the south-east of Scotland, bordering the City of Edinburgh, the county of Midlothian, and the Scottish Borders. In this article, we’ll take a look at some fascinating facts about the best attractions around East Lothian from towns and castles to hills and…
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Flotterstone, Pentland Hills Visitor Guide
The Pentland Hills national park covers 35 square miles and is located southwest of Edinburgh. The parkland is clearly visible across the city and it’s a favourite place for locals to enjoy long hillside walks. Discover the Pentland Hills from picturesque Flotterstone in this complete guide which includes an overview and 360° photos.
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Forth Road Bridge Visitor Guide
The Forth Road Bridge is one of the most significant long-span suspension bridges in the world, with a length of 1,006 metres between the two end towers. It is located next to the UNESCO heritage-status Forth Rail Bridge and features a footpath that allows visitors to walk between both ends of the structure.
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Gosford House Visitor Guide
Gosford House is a grand stately home located 16 miles east of the centre of Edinburgh. Built in 1800 by celebrated Scottish architect Robert Adam for the 7th Earl of Wemyss, it is now a popular tourist destination due to the expansive gardens that feature ponds, woodlands, and sweeping lawns. While the house is closed…
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Gullane Beach Visitor Guide
Gullane Beach is located between Aberlady Bay nature reserve and Yellowcraig Beach in East Lothian, a 15-minute drive from North Berwick and 40 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh. Visitors to the beach can enjoy a 1-mile stretch of golden sand that’s exceptionally clean and has miles of rough paths through the surrounding dunes to…
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Hailes Castle Visitor Guide
The 14th-century Hailes Castle in East Lothian is located in a beautiful setting next to the River Tyne that’s ideal for an afternoon of exploring with the kids. The castle is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and entry is free of charge. Discover this hidden gem of an attraction with this complete guide which features…
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Hopetoun House Visitor Guide
Hopetoun House is a magnificent country house near Queensferry, West Lothian, that was built between 1699-1701 and designed by Sir William Bruce. Visitors can explore the grounds at their leisure and the house is open for guided tours. Discover Hopetoun House with this article which includes an overview and handy visiting tips.
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Inveresk Lodge Garden Visitor Guide
Inveresk Lodge Garden is a National Trust for Scotland property located in the pretty village of Inveresk in East Lothian, around 6 miles from the centre of Edinburgh. This charming garden is a haven for wildlife and is a must-visit for anyone looking to escape the hubbub of the city centre thanks to its beautiful…
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John Muir Country Park Visitor Guide
John Muir Country Park – dedicated to the 19th-century conservationist John Muir – is located close to the town of Dunbar in East Lothian. The park is one of the top visitor attractions in East Lothian and features grassland, pine woodland, and a wide golden-sand beach. Discover John Muir Country Park in this guide, which…
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Jupiter Artland Visitor Guide
Jupiter Artland is a modern art sculpture garden and art gallery situated in the grounds of Bonnington House near Edinburgh. The outdoor art installation features works by Charles Jencks and other top British artists which is the reason why Jupiter Artland is regarded as one of the finest privately-owned modern art collections in the UK.
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Lammermuir Hills Visitor Guide
The Lammermuirs are a range of hills in the south of Scotland that border the county of East Lothian and the Scottish Borders. Visitors can explore the ancient hill forts at White Castle and Addinston, go for woodland walks at Pressmennan Wood and Yester Estate, and climb the highest point of the hill range at…
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