East Lothian

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  North Berwick Beach
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  The Scottish Seabird Centre
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  North Berwick Harbour
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  Dirleton Castle
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  View of the Bass Rock from Seacliff Beach

Introduction

With a population of more than 90,000 East Lothian is one of the most picturesque areas of Scotland. The County stretches from the eastern edge of Edinburgh to the waters of the North Sea. Rich in history, the past is kept alive with rugged castles, historic market towns and the remains of ancient settlements.

The quality of the urban and rural environment is one of East Lothian's greatest assets with some of the finest farmland in Scotland. It is bounded on the south by the Lammermuir Hills and stretches eastwards to the boundary with Scottish Borders at Cockburnspath. It also contains part of the Edinburgh Green Belt.

More than half the population live in the Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Cockenzie, Port Seton and Tranent areas. Although Musselburgh is the largest town in East Lothian, Haddington is its administrative centre where over 400 of the Council's 4,480 staff work. The area's economy was built on farming, fishing, coal mining and general manufacturing. Today, East Lothian is home to a number of modern industries including electronics, chemical research and printing. Agriculture remains important, but inshore fishing is now only a small scale industry.

Attractions and Places to Visit

East Lothian offers many and varied attractions for tourists and local residents alike.

For those that missed the chance to experience supersonic flight, the Museum of Flight's excellent Concorde exhibit is another chance to explore this stunning piece of aviation history. If nature is more your thing why not visit the Scottish Seabird Centre and enjoy the rich diversity of bird species the district has to offer.

If you need something more daring why not have a wee flutter at the famous Musselburgh Race Course. East Lothian also caters for the more active, with stunning Golf Courses, Go-Karting, and Leisure facilities.

Tourism is an important and developing industry. East Lothian is a golfer's paradise with a total of 19 courses. Musselburgh Links is the oldest surviving golf course in the world, but the most famous East Lothian course is Muirfield, home to the Open Championship 14 times since 1892 and last held there in 2002.

Throughout the summer months East Lothian hosts many local galas, festivals, fetes and agricultural shows. Places of interest to visit, include the Museum of Flight at East Fortune, Glenkinchie, Scotland's most southerly distillery; the Bass Rock, a sanctuary for birds and the 3rd largest gannetry in the world, the Seabird Centre, North Berwick and the John Muir Birthplace in Dunbar, which details the life and achievements of the conservationist and founder of America's National Parks. Historic castles include Dirleton, Tantallon and Hailes, which are all maintained by Historic Scotland.

History

East Lothian is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative capital is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh.

The council area was created in 1996, under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, with the boundaries of the East Lothian district of the Lothian region. The district had been created in 1975, under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, and it consisted of the local government county of East Lothian, plus the burgh of Musselburgh and the Inveresk area, both formerly within the county of Midlothian. When abolished, for local government purposes, in 1975, the county of East Lothian bordered the county of Midlothian to the west, and the county of Berwick to the south. The county was called Haddingtonshire until 1921.

*Introduction and Attraction information kindly provided courtesy of East Lothian Council

*History details taken from Wikipedia