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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Linlithgow Palace Visitor Guide
Linlithgow Palace is a Renaissance ruin that was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. The fortified building is located in Linlithgow in West Lothian next to Linlithgow Loch. Although the palace is partly in ruin and many sections are roofless it is still an impressive historic attraction. The site is managed by Historic Environment…
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Musselburgh Beach Visitor Guide
Nestled on the shores of East Lothian, just a short drive from the bustling city of Edinburgh, lies a wee hidden treasure that’s often overlooked by visitors to the capital – Musselburgh Beach. This charming stretch of coastline is much quieter than nearby Portobello Beach yet it’s just a 20-minute drive from the city centre,…
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Musselburgh Lagoons Visitor Guide
Nestled along the picturesque coastline of East Lothian lies a lesser-known treasure that’s sure to captivate nature enthusiasts and sightseers alike. Musselburgh Lagoons is a diverse habitat that’s a hotspot for a multitude of bird species, from waders such as curlews and redshanks to gulls, terns and eider ducks. Whether you’re a local or a…
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National Museum of Flight Visitor Guide
The National Museum of Flight in East Lothian offers an amazing family day out for anyone with a love of air travel and aircraft. This popular tourist attraction features outdoor displays as well as aircraft hangers full of planes, helicopters and more. There’s also an on-site café and a gift shop that’s stacked to the…
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North Berwick Law Visitor Guide
Standing 600 feet (187 metres) above sea level, The Law dominates the landscape around the popular seaside town of North Berwick. This gigantic remnant of an ancient volcano is a favourite destination for walkers, dog owners, and families looking to get some fresh air. You’ll find Berwick Law on the outskirts of the coastal town…
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North Berwick Visitor Guide
North Berwick is one of the top seaside towns in the southeast of Scotland. Not only is North Berwick the home of the Scottish Seabird Centre which operates boat trips to the Bass Rock, but it also boasts golden beaches to the east and west along with an eclectic mix of artisan shops and cafés…
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Pressmennan Wood Visitor Guide
Pressmennan Wood is a woodland in East Lothian that features a large lake (one of only four designated lakes in Scotland) and peaceful walks along several trails. The 212-acre site is managed by the Woodland Trust which has saved the native broadleaf trees from invasive Rhododendrons planted by the Victorians. The trust also maintains the…
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Preston Mill Visitor Guide
Preston Mill is located next to the River Tyne in picturesque farming country in the heart of East Lothian. The mill dates from the 18th-century and was used commercially until the 1950s but is now open as a tourist attraction managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Discover this unique historic attraction with this guide…
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Prestongrange Museum Visitor Guide
Prestongrange in the coastal village of Prestonpans is a free-to-visit outdoor museum that showcases East Lothian’s rich industrial heritage. The museum aims to educate visitors about the 800-years of industrial activity that left its mark on the area, from the almost-vanished harbour to the long-abandoned colliery.
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Rosslyn Chapel Visitor Guide
Rosslyn Chapel (as featured in The Davinci Code) is one of the most beautiful examples of religious architecture in Scotland. The chapel dates back to 1446 and features a complex arrangement of mysterious stone carvings that are believed to have links to the Knights Templar. Discover Rosslyn Chapel with this article which contains a detailed…
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Seacliff Beach Visitor Guide
Seacliff Beach is situated 5 miles south of North Berwick in East Lothian. This remote beach is overlooked by the dramatic ruins of Tantallon Castle and is best known for its unusual sandstone harbour which is said to be the smallest in the UK.
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Seton Collegiate Church Visitor Guide
Sitting in immaculately manicured gardens, Seton Collegiate Church is a 4-star historic tourist attraction managed by Historic Environment Scotland. The church is located near Prestonpans in East Lothian and can be accessed from the A198, 2 miles (3.22 km) west of Longniddry.
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Swanston, Pentland Hills Visitor Guide
The Pentland Hills are located south of Edinburgh where they span Midlothian and West Lothian in a regional park that’s over 38 square miles in size. There are 9 peaks over 1,500 feet in the Pentlands and more than 600,000 people visit them each year. There are a number of entry points to the park…
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Tantallon Castle Visitor Guide
Tantallon Castle is a red sandstone fortification dating from the 1300s which overlooks the beautiful coastline near North Berwick in East Lothian. It is one of the oldest examples of a curtain wall castle in Scotland and is one of the top historic tourist attractions in the southeast of the country. Discover Tantallon Castle with…
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The Best Things to Do in East Lothian
East Lothian is far and away one of the best places to visit in the south of Scotland for a day trip. The county bathes in an above-average number of sunshine hours, sees fewer days of rain than many other parts of Scotland, and is close enough to Edinburgh that visiting the capital city is…
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The Best Things to Do in East Lothian for Families
East Lothian is an often-overlooked county in Scotland that offers visitors a combination of open countryside, golden beaches, dense woodlands and some of the best nature reserves in the country. Discover the best family attractions in East Lothian with this guide which features an overview of the top places to visit alongside 360° virtual tours.
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The Best Things to Do in North Berwick for Families
North Berwick boasts golden beaches to the east and west, it has an eclectic mix of shops and cafés in the high street, and it is surrounded by attractions including North Berwick Law and Tantallon Castle. Discover this attractive East Lothian town with this complete guide to the best family attractions in North Berwick which…
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Torness Point Visitor Guide
Torness power station is situated on the coast near the town of Dunbar in East Lothian. As well as having a 5-star awarded visitor centre which gives free tours to visitors, Torness has a superb 4-mile coastal footpath that runs along the coastline between Thorntonloch beach to the south and Barns Ness Lighthouse to the…
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Traprain Law Visitor Guide
Whether you’re a history buff or simply love exploring the great outdoors, Traprain Law is a must-visit destination in East Lothian. Located about 20 miles east of Edinburgh, Traprain Law is a hill that rises 221 metres (724 feet) above sea level, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Though it served as an Iron…
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Tubing at Midlothian Snowsports Centre Visitor Guide
The Midlothian Snowsports Centre is located in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh where it offers a variety of fun experiences from skiing and snowboarding to the exhilarating tubing runs that are a firm favourite with children and adults alike. Discover what it’s like to hurtle down the slopes on one of these giant tubes in…
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Whiteadder Reservoir Visitor Guide
Whiteadder Reservoir is situated deep within the heart of the Lammermuir Hills in East Lothian. The reservoir was created as an additional source of drinking water for the county but after work was completed in 1968 it become a haven for wildlife as well as a popular location for fishing and water sports. One of…
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Woodhall Dean Visitor Guide
Woodhall Dean Nature Reserve in East Lothian is situated to the north-east of the Lammermuir Hills. The reserve comprises mixed woodland which surrounds a deep gorge that opens up onto rolling fields. In spring, Woodhall Dean is awash with bluebells and primroses, while buzzards, sparrowhawks, and tawny owls can be seen throughout the year.
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Yellowcraig Beach Visitor Guide
Yellowcraig (also known as Broadsands Bay) is a natural cove beach with spectacular views of the 1885 lighthouse on Fidra Island which was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous tale Treasure Island. Discover this stunning East Lothian beach with this ultimate visitor guide.
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Yester Castle Visitor Guide
Nestled amidst the rolling fields of East Lothian lies a historic gem that begs exploration – Yester Castle and the Goblin Ha. The once-mighty Yester Castle, now a picturesque ruin, was built in the 13th century by Sir Hugo de Giffard, guardian of Alexander III of Scotland and a reputed warlock and necromancer. In this…
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