Midlothian (; gd, Meadhan Lodainn) is a historic county,

registration county A registration county was, in Great Britain and Ireland, a statistical unit used for the registration of births, deaths and marriages and for the output of census information. In Scotland registration counties are used for land registration pur ...

, lieutenancy area and one of 32 council areas of Scotland used for local government. Midlothian lies in the east- central Lowlands, bordering the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders. Midlothian emerged as a county in the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...

under larger boundaries than the modern council area, including Edinburgh itself. The county was formally called the "shire of Edinburgh" or Edinburghshire until the twentieth century. It bordered West Lothian to the west,

Lanarkshire Lanarkshire, also called the County of Lanark ( gd, Siorrachd Lannraig; sco, Lanrikshire), is a historic county, lieutenancy area and registration county in the central Lowlands of Scotland. Lanarkshire is the most populous county in Scotl ...

, Peeblesshire and Selkirkshire to the south, and East Lothian,

Berwickshire Berwickshire ( gd, Siorrachd Bhearaig) is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area in south-eastern Scotland, on the English border. Berwickshire County Council existed from 1890 until 1975, when the area became part of th ...

and Roxburghshire to the east. Traditional industries included mining, agriculture and fishing – although the modern council area is now

landlocked A landlocked country is a country that does not have territory connected to an ocean or whose coastlines lie on endorheic basins. There are currently 44 landlocked countries and 4 landlocked de facto states. Kazakhstan is the world's largest ...

History

Following the end of the

Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy * Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lett ...

occupation of Britain, Lothian was populated by Brythonic-speaking ancient Britons and formed part of Gododdin, within the

Hen Ogledd Yr Hen Ogledd (), in English the Old North, is the historical region which is now Northern England and the southern Scottish Lowlands that was inhabited by the Brittonic people of sub-Roman Britain in the Early Middle Ages. Its population sp ...

or Old North. In the seventh century, Gododdin fell to the Angles, with Lothian becoming part of the kingdom of

Bernicia Bernicia ( ang, Bernice, Bryneich, Beornice; la, Bernicia) was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom established by Anglian settlers of the 6th century in what is now southeastern Scotland and North East England. The Anglian territory of Bernicia was ap ...

. Bernicia united into the Kingdom of Northumbria which itself became part of the early

Kingdom of England The Kingdom of England (, ) was a sovereign state on the island of Great Britain from 12 July 927, when it emerged from various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, until 1 May 1707, when it united with Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. On ...

. Lothian came under the control of the Scottish monarchy in the tenth century. In the Middle Ages, Lothian was the scene of several historic conflicts between the kingdoms of Scotland and England. The Battle of Roslin took place in 1303 at Roslin as part of the First War of Scottish Independence. A Scottish army led by Simon Fraser and John Comyn defeated an army led by English commander John Segrave. Along with other parts of the Lothians, the county was involved in the

Rough Wooing The Rough Wooing (December 1543 – March 1551), also known as the Eight Years' War, was part of the Anglo-Scottish Wars of the 16th century. Following its break with the Roman Catholic Church, England attacked Scotland, partly to break th ...

when Roslin Castle, seat of the Earl of Caithness, was destroyed in 1544 by forces of

Henry VIII of England Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...

. In the 17th century, the county featured in the War of the Three Kingdoms, where General George Monck had his base at

Dalkeith Castle Dalkeith Palace is a country house in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland. It was the seat of the Dukes of Buccleuch from 1642 until 1914, and is owned by the Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust. The present palace was built 1701–1711 on the site of th ...

as the Commonwealth's Commander in Scotland. Following the Restoration of the monarchy, the "Pentland Rising" in the region culminated with the Battle of Rullion Green in 1666, a decisive victory for the Government forces against Covenanter rebels. In 1650,

Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English politician and military officer who is widely regarded as one of the most important statesmen in English history. He came to prominence during the 1639 to 1651 Wars of the Three ...

's army came to Dalkeith. His officer General George Monck, was Commander in Scotland, and the government of the country was based out of Dalkeith castle. The 1878-80 Midlothian campaign by British Liberal politician

William Ewart Gladstone William Ewart Gladstone ( ; 29 December 1809 – 19 May 1898) was a British statesman and Liberal politician. In a career lasting over 60 years, he served for 12 years as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, spread over four non-con ...

entered history as an early example of modern political campaigning, resulting in Gladstone taking the Midlothian constituency from the long-time Conservative Member of Parliament William Montagu Douglas Scott and going on to become

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom The prime minister of the United Kingdom is the head of government of the United Kingdom. The prime minister advises the sovereign on the exercise of much of the royal prerogative, chairs the Cabinet and selects its ministers. As modern p ...

. On 1 June 1978, Midlothian became Sister Cities with Midlothian, Illinois.

Governance

The modern council area of Midlothian is governed by Midlothian Council, based in Dalkeith.

Shire and county

The origins of the historic county of Midlothian are obscure; it emerged as a shire (the area controlled by a sheriff) in the

, and was certainly in existence by the reign of David I (reigned 1124–1153). It covered the central part of the former kingdom or

province A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman ''provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions out ...

of Lothian, and was formally called the "shire of Edinburgh" or "Edinburghshire", although the alternative name "Midlothian" was also used from a very early date. The burgh of Edinburgh became administratively independent from the surrounding county in 1482 when James III granted the burgh the right to appoint its own sheriff and coroner, making it a

county of itself A county corporate or corporate county was a type of subnational division used for local government in England, Wales, and Ireland. Counties corporate were created during the Middle Ages, and were effectively small self-governing county-empower ...

Commissioners of Supply Commissioners of Supply were local administrative bodies in Scotland from 1667 to 1930. Originally established in each sheriffdom to collect tax, they later took on much of the responsibility for the local government of the counties of Scotland. ...

were established for each shire in 1667, and served as the main administrative body for the county until elected

county council A county council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a county. This term has slightly different meanings in different countries. Ireland The county councils created under British rule in 1899 continue to exist in Irela ...

s were created in 1890 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, taking most of the commissioners' functions. The commissioners for Edinburghshire, and the county council which followed them, did not have jurisdiction over the city of Edinburgh, which was administered by the town council of the burgh. From its creation in 1890 the county council called itself "Midlothian County Council". However, the legal name of the county remained the "county of Edinburgh" or "Edinburghshire". In 1913 the county council petitioned the government to formally change the name to Midlothian. The government responded that it would direct all government departments to use Midlothian rather than Edinburghshire, but that a formal change of name needed to be done by statute and it could not justify the parliamentary time to make such a change. The statutory change of name from Edinburghshire to Midlothian eventually took place in 1947, under section 127 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947. Midlothian County Council was based at Midlothian County Buildings, built in 1904 on George IV Bridge in Edinburgh on the site of the earlier County Buildings. Midlothian was abolished as a county for local government purposes in 1975. The boundaries of the historic county of Midlothian, including the city of Edinburgh, are still used for some limited official purposes connected with land registration, being a

District

Midlothian County Council was abolished in 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which abolished Scotland's counties and burghs as administrative areas and created a new two-tier system of upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. Most of Midlothian's territory went to a new district called Midlothian within the Lothian region. The Midlothian district was smaller than the area of the pre-1975 county, with the parts of the pre-1975 county going to other districts being: * Currie, Balerno, Ratho and Newbridge to the city of Edinburgh. * Musselburgh burgh and parish of Inveresk (which included the villages of Inveresk,

Wallyford Wallyford is a village near Musselburgh and approximately east of Edinburgh in East Lothian, Scotland. History The village was initially populated by coal miners and later grew as an overspill/commuter town for workers in Musselburgh and Edi ...

and Whitecraig) to East Lothian. *The Calders (

East Calder East Calder is a village located in West Lothian, Scotland, about a mile east of Mid Calder and a mile west of Wilkieston. It forms part of 'the Calders (together with Mid and West Calder), three small neighbouring communities situated west of ...

, Midcalder and West Calder) and the Midlothian part of

Livingston Livingston may refer to: Businesses * Livingston Energy Flight, an Italian airline (2003–2010) * Livingston Compagnia Aerea, an Italian airline (2011–2014), also known as Livingston Airline * Livingston International, a North American customs ...

to West Lothian. * Heriot and Stow parishes to the Ettrick and Lauderdale district of the Borders region. For

lieutenancy A lord-lieutenant ( ) is the British monarch's personal representative in each lieutenancy area of the United Kingdom. Historically, each lieutenant was responsible for organising the county's militia. In 1871, the lieutenant's responsibility ...

purposes, the last lord-lieutenant of the county of Midlothian was made lord-lieutenant for the new district of Midlothian when the reforms came into effect in 1975. The former county council's headquarters in Edinburgh became the offices of the new Lothian Regional Council, whilst the Midlothian District Council established its headquarters in Dalkeith. In 1991 the council built itself a new headquarters called Midlothian House at 40-46 Buccleuch Street in Dalkeith.

Council area

The Lothian region was abolished in 1996. The four districts in the region, including Midlothian, became unitary council areas. The reconstituted Midlothian Council continues to be based at Midlothian House in Dalkeith. The Midlothian lieutenancy area corresponds to the current council area rather than the historic county.

Central government

There is a Midlothian constituency of the House of Commons. There was a Midlothian constituency of the Scottish Parliament up to the 2011 elections when it was divided between Midlothian North and Musselburgh and Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale.

Geography

The Midlothian council area contains the towns of Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg and Penicuik, as well as a portion of the Pentland Hills Regional Park, Rosslyn Chapel and Dalkeith Palace. The historic county has a roughly trapezoidal shape; it consists of a fairly flat area along the Firth of Forth, which is heavily urbanised and dominated by the Edinburgh conurbation. Off the coast lie the small islands of Inchmickery and

Cramond Island Cramond Island ( Scottish Gaelic: ''Eilean Chathair Amain'') is one of several islands in the Firth of Forth in eastern Scotland, near Edinburgh. It lies off the foreshore at Cramond. It is long and covers .Wilson, Rev. John ''The Gazettee ...

. The land gradually rises to the south, with the Pentland Hills in the south-west,

Moorfoot Hills The Moorfoot Hills are a range of hills south of Edinburgh in east central Scotland, one of the ranges which collectively form the Southern Uplands. Etymology The name ''Moorfoot'' was recorded as ''Morthwait'' in 1142. The second element is O ...

in the centre-south and the

Lammermuir Hills The Lammermuirs are a range of hills in southern Scotland, forming a natural boundary between East Lothian and the Borders. The name "Lammermuir" comes from the Old English ''lambra mōr'', meaning "moorland of the lambs". Geology The Lamm ...

in the far south-east. Blackhope Scar on the border with Peeblesshire is the highest point in the county at 651 m (2,136 ft). The county contains no lochs of any size, though there are many reservoirs, most notably

Gladhouse Reservoir Gladhouse Reservoir, formerly known as Moorfoot Loch, is a reservoir in Midlothian, Scotland, five miles (8 km) south of Penicuik. It is the most southerly reservoir in Midlothian, as well as being the largest area of freshwater in the L ...

, Rosebery Reservoir,

Edgelaw Reservoir Edgelaw Reservoir is an artificial reservoir in Midlothian, Scotland, UK, four miles west of Temple. It was created in 1880 by James Leslie and his son Alexander. See also *Gladhouse Reservoir *Glencorse Reservoir *North Esk Reservoir *Ros ...

, Loganlea Reservoir,

Glencorse Reservoir Glencorse Reservoir is a reservoir in Midlothian, Scotland, two miles west of Glencorse, in the Pentland Hills. It is retained by an earth dam, and it was built between 1820 and 1824 by James Jardine to provide water for the mills of Auchend ...

, Threipmuir Reservoir, Harlaw Reservoir,

Harperrig Reservoir Harperrig Reservoir is a reservoir in West Lothian, Scotland, to the north of the Pentland Hills, south of Mid Calder. The Water of Leith flows through it, and nearby are Harlaw Reservoir and Threipmuir Reservoir. It has been proposed that t ...

, Crosswood Reservoir, Morton Reservoir and

Cobbinshaw Reservoir Cobbinshaw Reservoir is a reservoir in West Lothian, Scotland. It is situated near the Pentland Hills, 5 km south of West Calder. The site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is popular with wildfowl. History Cobbinshaw Rese ...

Settlements

Settlements within both historic and modern Midlothian

* Arniston *

Auchendinny Auchendinny (Scottish Gaelic: Achadh an t-Sionnaich, meaning field of the fox) is a small village in Glencorse near Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland. The village had a paper mill at Dalmore, until its closure in 2005. This was Midlothian's last re ...

* Bilston * Bonnyrigg *

Borthwick Borthwick is a hamlet, parish and stream in Midlothian, Scotland. The parish includes the 15th century Borthwick Castle, which is to the east of the village and the villages of Gorebridge and North Middleton.''Gazetteer of Scotland'', publ. ...

* Carrington * Cornbank * Cousland * Crichton * Dalkeith * Danderhall * Deanburn * Dewartown * Easthouses *

Easter Howgate Easter Howgate is a settlement in Midlothian, Scotland, UK, on the A702, two miles north of Penicuik. The Scottish Agricultural College maintains a teaching campus and a research farm there, named "Edinburgh Genetics". See also *List of place ...

Edgehead Edgehead (also known as Chesterhill) is a village in Midlothian, Scotland. Location Edgehead is situated east of Dewartown and Mayfield, north-west of Pathhead and south-east of Dalkeith. Two areas of woodland, Windmill Wood and Chesterhill Wo ...

* Eight Mile Burn * Eskbank * Fala * Ford *

Gorebridge Gorebridge is a former mining village in Midlothian, Scotland. Gorebridge has an annual Gala Day which always takes place on the 3rd Saturday in June. This is much like a town fair, with rides and games. The gala day has a tradition of picki ...

* Gowkshill * Hillend * Hopefield * Howgate *

Lasswade Lasswade is a village and civil parish in Midlothian, Scotland, on the River North Esk, nine miles (14.5 kilometres) south of Edinburgh city centre, contiguous with Bonnyrigg and between Dalkeith to the east and Loanhead to the west. Melville ...

* Leadburn *

Loanhead Loanhead is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, in a commuter belt to the south of Edinburgh, and close to Roslin, Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith. The town was built on coal and oil shale mining, and the paper industries. History Loanhead was a tiny ...

* Mayfield * Millerhill * Milton Bridge * Newbattle * Newtongrange * Nine Mile Burn * North Middleton *

Pathhead Pathhead ( sco, Paithheid) is an area of Kirkcaldy, in Fife, Scotland. Pathhead was an independent village before it was incorporated into the Royal burgh of Kirkcaldy. In Jan Blaeu's map of Scotland from the 17th century reference is made to ...

* Penicuik * Polton * Rosewell * Roslin * Shawfair * Silverburn * Straiton *

Temple A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...

* Whitehill * Woodburn

Settlements historically in Midlothian but since transferred elsewhere

Transferred to the City of Edinburgh

* Abbeyhill * Alnwickhill *

Ardmillan Ardmillan ( gd, Aird a' Mhaolain, IPA: �aːɾʲtʲˈaˈvɯːɫ̪ɪn is a mainly residential suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland. The area developed during the mid to late Victorian era as Edinburgh expanded and many of the present tenement flats and h ...

* Baberton * Balerno * Balgreen * Bankhead * Barnton * Beechmount * Bingham * Blackford * Blackhall * Bonaly * Bonnington * Braepark * Broomhouse * Broughton *

Brunstane Brunstane is a northeastern suburb of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. It lies on the A1 and is served by Brunstane railway station on the Borders Railway. Brunstane partly consists of new housing, such as the Gilberstoun estate, and also ...

Bruntsfield Bruntsfield is a largely residential area around Bruntsfield Place in Southern Edinburgh, Scotland. In feudal times, it fell within the barony of Colinton. Location Bruntsfield Place is less than south on the A702 main road from the West e ...

* Bughtlin * Burdiehouse *

Burghmuirhead Burghmuirhead (sometimes anglicised as Boroughmuirhead) is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland. The area lies between Bruntsfield to the north and Morningside to the south. West is Merchiston and east is Greenhill and then The Grange. The area ...

The Calders The Calders is a residential neighbourhood in Edinburgh, Scotland – not to be confused with the Calders of West Lothian aka West Calder, Mid Calder and East Calder, three separate villages. It is sometimes considered to be part of Wester Hai ...

Cameron Toll Cameron Toll is a suburb located to the south of Edinburgh, Scotland. Originally it was the site of a toll house built in the early 19th century, which was located on a stretch of road between Edinburgh and Dalkeith. The meaning of the name ...

Cammo Cammo () is a northwestern suburb of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is south of A90, at the edge of the city, approximately from the city centre. Etymology The name is Celtic in origin, but could have originated either in Scottish Gael ...

* Canongate * Canonmills * Chesser * Church Hill *

Clermiston Clermiston is a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland, to the west of the city and to the immediate north of Corstorphine, on the western slopes of Corstorphine Hill. Clermiston estate, built in 1954, was part of a major 1950s house-building programme ...

* Comely Bank *

Comiston Comiston ( gd, Baile Chaluim, IPA: �paleˈxaɫ̪ɯim is a suburb of Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeabl ...

* Corstorphine *

Cowgate The Cowgate ( Scots: The Cougait) is a street in Edinburgh, Scotland, located about southeast of Edinburgh Castle, within the city's World Heritage Site. The street is part of the lower level of Edinburgh's Old Town, which lies below the eleva ...

Craigcrook Craigcrook is a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland, best known for Craigcrook Castle. It is fairly affluent, and lies on the north east slopes of Corstorphine Hill. It is near Clerwood, and Blackhall. Davidson's Mains lies to the north, separated f ...

* Craigentinny *

Craigleith Craigleith ( gd, Creag Lìte) is a small island in the Firth of Forth off North Berwick in East Lothian, Scotland. Its name comes from the Scottish Gaelic ''Creag Lìte'' meaning "rock of Leith". It is at its highest point. Geography and geolo ...

* Craiglockhart *

Craigmillar Craigmillar ( gd, Creag a' Mhuilleir, IPA: �kʰʲɾʲekˈaˈvɯʎɪɾʲ, from the Gaelic ''Creag Maol Ard'', meaning 'High Bare Rock', is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland, about south east of the city centre, with Duddingston to the north and ...

* Craigour * Cramond * Crewe Toll * Currie *

Curriehill Curriehill ( sco, Curriehull, gd, Cnoc a' Churraich)
i ...

Dalmahoy Dalmahoy (Scottish Gaelic: ''Dail MoThua'') is a hotel and former country house near Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located off the A71 road, south of Ratho. The house is protected as a category A listed building, History The estate was the propert ...

* Dalry * Davidson's Mains *

Dean Village Dean Village (from ''dene'', meaning 'deep valley') is a former village immediately northwest of the city centre of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is bounded by Belford Road to the south and west, Belgrave Crescent Gardens to the north and below the ...

Drumbrae Drumbrae or Drum Brae (Scottish Gaelic: ''Druim Bràigh'') is the name of a suburb of west Edinburgh, Scotland generally considered to be part of the neighbouring larger areas of Corstorphine and Clermiston. This is a commuter settlement as man ...

Drylaw Drylaw is an area in the north west of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, located between Blackhall and Granton. It forms the community of Drylaw–Telford. Drylaw used to belong to the younger branch of the Foresters of Corstorphine. Forme ...

* Duddingston * Dumbiedykes *

East Craigs East Craigs is a residential district of Edinburgh located in the north-west of the city, on the western flanks of Corstorphine Hill. It lies next to the green belt, and prior to development was a working farm. Development of the area began i ...

* East Pilton *

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

* Edinburgh Park *

Fairmilehead Fairmilehead is a district of southern Edinburgh, Scotland. It lies approximately due south of the city centre and borders Midlothian. The area comprises the neighbourhoods of Buckstone, Caiyside, Caiystane, Swanston, Frogston and Winton. Th ...

* Ferniehill *

Ferry Road Ferry Road is one of the major roads of Edinburgh, Scotland, deriving its name from being the road from Queensferry to Leith. It runs from the eastern end of Davidson's Mains village in the west, to Leith in the east, passing through Drylaw, ...

* Firrhill * Forrester * Fountainbridge * Gilmerton *

Gogar Gogar is a predominantly rural area of Edinburgh, Scotland, located to the west of the city. It is not far from Gogarloch, Edinburgh Park and Maybury. The Fife Circle Line is to the north. Etymology The name of Gogar first appears in a clearl ...

Gogarloch Gogarloch is a residential area within South Gyle, Edinburgh, Scotland. It lies near South Gyle railway station and South Gyle Broadway, west of the city centre. Corstorphine and Wester Broom are nearby. Historically this area was marshland ...

Goldenacre Goldenacre is an area in Edinburgh, Scotland, lying on and to the south of the Ferry Road, and south of Trinity. Transport links The area is well-served for local transport, with six bus services provided by Lothian Buses. Destinations includ ...

* Gorgie * Gracemount * The Grange * Granton * Grassmarket * Greenbank *

Greendykes Greendykes is a neighbourhood of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It was originally a council scheme, consisting mostly of low-rise flats but also two 15-storey tower blocks (Greendykes House and Wauchope House). It is sometimes considered t ...

* Greenhill * Haymarket * Hermiston *

Holy Corner Holy Corner is a colloquial name for a small area of Edinburgh, Scotland, and (along with Church Hill) is part of the area more properly known as Burghmuirhead, itself part of the lands of Greenhill. Holy Corner lies between the areas of Br ...

* Holyrood *

Hunter's Tryst Hunter's Tryst is the name of a long-established inn in Edinburgh, Scotland; it has lent its name to the surrounding area, near Fairmilehead. The inn, once well outside Edinburgh's built-up area, was a popular leisure destination and was a mee ...

* The Inch * Ingliston * Inverleith *

Jock's Lodge Jock's Lodge is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It centres on the junction of London Road and Willowbrae Road (part of the A1 trunk route to London), Portobello Road and Restalrig Road South (Smokey Brae) and is an alternative name for the M ...

* Joppa * Juniper Green * Kaimes * Kingsknowe * Lauriston *

Leith Leith (; gd, Lìte) is a port area in the north of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, founded at the mouth of the Water of Leith. In 2021, it was ranked by ''Time Out'' as one of the top five neighbourhoods to live in the world. The earliest ...

* Liberton *

Little France Little France is a suburb of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is on the A7, approximately south of the city centre. The area falls within the parish of Liberton in the south-east of the city. It acquired its name from members of the ent ...

* Lochend *

Lochrin Lochrin is a small area in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is in the south-west corner of the city centre, to the west of Tollcross, and south of Fountainbridge. Lochrin contains a wide mixture of retail shops, leisure facilities, ot ...

Longstone Longstone or Long Stone may refer to Places *Longstone, Edinburgh, a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland * Longstone, County Armagh, a townland in County Armagh, Northern Ireland * Longstone, Cornwall, a hamlet in Cornwall, England * Longstone, Isles of ...

* Marchmont *

Maybury Maybury is an area on the western edge of Edinburgh, Scotland, near South Gyle and Ingliston, named after the road, which is itself named after the civil engineer Sir Henry Maybury (1864–1943). In 2021, residents have been undertaking com ...

* Mayfield * Meadowbank *

Merchiston Merchiston ( ) is a residential area around Merchiston Avenue in the south-west of Edinburgh, Scotland. Location Merchiston Avenue is 1.3 miles Southwest of the West End of Edinburgh's principal street, Princes Street. Other areas near Merc ...

* Moredun * Morningside *

Mortonhall Mortonhall is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland, on the south edge of the city. The area is along the western end of the Frogston Road between Fairmilehead and Gilmerton; it is just to the south of Liberton and the Braid Hills. The area was t ...

* Mountcastle * Muirhouse * Murrayfield * Newbridge * Newcraighall * Newhaven * Newington * Niddrie *

Northfield Northfield may refer to: Places United Kingdom * Northfield, Aberdeen, Scotland * Northfield, Edinburgh, Scotland * Northfield, Birmingham, England * Northfield (Kettering BC Ward), Northamptonshire, England United States * Northfield, Connect ...

Oxgangs Oxgangs is a suburb in the south-west of Edinburgh, Scotland. Surrounding districts include Caiystane, Dreghorn, Redford, Fairmilehead, Colinton and Swanston and Colinton Mains. The post code area for Oxgangs is EH13. Etymology The name ...

* Parkgrove * Parkhead *

Piershill Piershill is a suburb of north east Edinburgh, Scotland, in the shadow of Arthur's Seat. It is mainly residential, with local amenities including a large Morrisons supermarket and filling station, bank, public library, optician, pharmacy, sever ...

* Pilrig * Pilton * Polworth * Portobello *

Powderhall Powderhall is an area lying between Broughton Road and Warriston Road in the north of Edinburgh, the Scottish capital. Until recently it was best known for Powderhall Stadium, a greyhound racing track, which has now closed. The stadium also pla ...

* Prestonfield * Ratho * Ratho Station * Ravelston * Redford * Restalrig * Riccarton * Roseburn * Saughton * Sciennes * Seafield * Shandon *

Sighthill Sighthill may refer to: * Sighthill, Edinburgh, a district of the city of Edinburgh ** Sighthill Stadium, a proposed stadium in Sighthill, Edinburgh * Sighthill, Glasgow Sighthill is a neighbourhood in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situ ...

* Silverknowes * Slateford *

South Gyle South Gyle (pronounced ) is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland, lying on the western edge of the city and to the south and west of an area of former marshland once known as the Gogarloch, on the edge of Corstorphine. Most of the buildings in th ...

* Stenhouse * Stockbridge * Swanston * Tollcross * Torphin *

Trinity The Christian doctrine of the Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the central dogma concerning the nature of God in most Christian churches, which defines one God existing in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial divine persons: God th ...

Turnhouse Turnhouse is a suburb in the west of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, near Maybury, Gogar, Cammo Cammo () is a northwestern suburb of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is south of A90, at the edge of the city, approximately from ...

Warriston Warriston ( ) is a suburb of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It lies east of the Royal Botanic Garden in Inverleith. The name derives from Warriston House, a local mansion house demolished in 1966. In July 1600 John Kincaid, the Laird o ...

* West Coates * West Craigs * West End * Westfield * Wester Broom * Wester Hailes * Western Harbour * West Pilton * Willowbrae

Transferred to East Lothian

Fisherrow Fisherrow is a harbour and former fishing village at Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland, to the east of Portobello and Joppa, and west of the River Esk. History There has been fishing at Fisherrow and Musselburgh since Roman times, and the p ...

* Inveresk * Monktonhall * Musselburgh *

* Whitecraig

Transferred to Scottish Borders

* Heriot *

Stow of Wedale Stow of Wedale, or more often Stow, is a village in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland (historically Midlothian), north of Galashiels. In the 2011 Census the population was 718. It is served by Stow railway station. The name The name Stow i ...

Transferred to West Lothian

* Adambrae *

Addiewell Addiewell ( sco, Aidieswall, gd, Tobar Adaidh) is a former mining village in the Scottish council area of West Lothian. Historically it lies within the County of Midlothian. A new prison, HMP Addiewell, opened in 2008. There are two separate di ...

* Bellsquarry * Breich * Cobbinshaw * Craigshill * Dedridge *

Harburn Harburn is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Bill Harburn (1923–1970), British footballer * Colin Harburn (1938–2022), Australian cricketer * Peter Harburn (1931–2010), British footballer See also * Harburn, West Lot ...

* Howden * Kirknewton * Mid Calder * Murieston *

Polbeth PolbethG. ''Poll'' - pool ''beithe'' - birch tree "birch pool" is a former oil shale mining village located about a mile from West Calder, and not far from Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland. Five Sisters A mile to the west of the village ar ...

* Pumpherston * West Calder * Wilkieston

Places of interest

Arniston House Arniston House is a historic house in Midlothian, Scotland, near the village of Temple. This Georgian mansion was designed by William Adam in 1726 for Robert Dundas, of Arniston, the elder, the Lord President of the Court of Session. The wester ...

* Borthwick Castle * Castlelaw Fort * Crichton Castle * Dalhousie Castle * Dalkeith Palace * Flotterstone * Hawthornden Castle * Midlothian Snowsports Centre, Hillend * National Mining Museum * Loanhead Memorial Park *

Mavisbank House Mavisbank is a country house outside Loanhead, south of Edinburgh in Midlothian, Scotland. It was designed by architect William Adam in collaboration with his client, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, and was constructed between 1723 and 1727. The fir ...

Melville Castle Melville Castle is a three-storey Gothic castellated mansion situated less than a mile (2 km) west-south-west of Dalkeith, Midlothian, near the North Esk. History An earlier tower house on the site was demolished when the present structu ...

Newbattle Abbey Newbattle Abbey ( gd, Abaid a' Bhatail Nuaidh) was a Cistercian monastery near the village of Newbattle in Midlothian, Scotland, which subsequently become a stately home and then an educational institution. Monastery It was founded in 1140 by ...

* Pentland Hills * Roslin Castle * Roslin Glen Country Park *

Roslin Institute The Roslin Institute is an animal sciences research institute at Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland, part of the University of Edinburgh, and is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. It is best known for creati ...

* Rosslyn Chapel * Tyne-Esk Walk *

Vogrie Country Park Vogrie Country Park in Scotland is managed by Midlothian Council. It consists of a woodland estate surrounding the Victorian Vogrie House. It is located around from Edinburgh between Pathhead and Gorebridge. Facilities in the parkland inclu ...

Wallace's Cave Wallace's Cave is situated in Roslin Glen, in Midlothian, Scotland. It is also known as Hawthornden Castle Cave, after Hawthornden Castle which is nearby. It takes its name from William Wallace, the Scottish national hero, who participated ...

Civil parishes in the County of Midlothian

(Unitary authority indicated where not Midlothian. Boundaries defined by Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973)Census of Scotland 2011, Table KS101SC – Usually Resident Population, published by National Records of Scotland. Website http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ retrieved March 2016. See "Standard Outputs", Table KS101SC, Area type: Civil Parish 1930 EDINBURGHSHIRE or MIDLOTHIAN Civil Parish map a

EDINBURGHSHIRE or MIDLOTHIAN Civil Parish map a

* Carrington *

Cockpen Cockpen is a parish in Midlothian, Scotland, containing at its north-west corner the town of Bonnyrigg, which lies south-west of Dalkeith. It is bounded on the west and north by the parish of Lasswade, on the east, by Newbattle and on the south ...

* Cranston * Crichton * Currie (Edinburgh) * Dalkeith * Fala and Soutra *

Glencorse Glencorse is a parish of Midlothian, Scotland, lying south of Edinburgh.Gazetteer of Scotland, publ, by W & AK Johnston, Edinburgh, 1937. Article on Glencorse. Places are presented alphabetically It is bounded on the north-west by the former pa ...

* Heriot (Scottish Borders) * Inveresk (East Lothian) * Kirkliston (Edinburgh)Partly in West Lothian. Article on Kirkliston in Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland, by, Francis Groome, 2nd Edition, 1896 * Kirknewton (West Lothian) *

* Mid Calder (West Lothian) * Newbattle * Newton * Penicuik * Ratho (Edinburgh) * Stow (Scottish Borders) *

* West Calder (West Lothian)

Former civil parishes outside Edinburgh now merged in the City of Edinburgh

Abolished 1902: * Duddingston Abolished 1920 * Colinton * Corstorphine * Cramond * Liberton ''The above list does not include parishes which have been within the City of Edinburgh for county purposes since 19th century, namely within the "County of the City" of which the Lord Provost was and is Lord Lieutenant.''

Transport

Midlothian has a modern road network as well as some rural single-track roads. The Borders Railway runs between Tweedbank to Edinburgh, with four stations in Midlothian – Shawfair, Eskbank, Newtongrange and

Notable people associated with Midlothian

William Drummond of Hawthornden William Drummond (13 December 15854 December 1649), called "of Hawthornden", was a Scottish poet. Life Drummond was born at Hawthornden Castle, Midlothian, to John Drummond, the first laird of Hawthornden, and Susannah Fowler, sister of the ...

(1585–1649), Scottish poet. * Princess Margaret of Scotland (1598–1600), daughter of James VI and I of Scotland and England (born Dalkeith Palace) * John Clerk of Penicuik, 2nd Baronet (1676–1755), was a Scottish politician, lawyer, judge, composer and architect. * William Robertson (1721–1793), historian, minister in the Church of Scotland, and Principal of the University of Edinburgh * Robert Smith (1722–1777), American architect, based in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...

, born in Dalkeith * Hector Macneill (1746–1818), poet and songwriter, born near Roslin *

John Clerk, Lord Eldin John Clerk, Lord Eldin FRSE FSA (1757– 30 May1832) was a Scottish judge based in Edinburgh. Life He was the eldest son of Susannah Adam, the sister of John Adam and Robert Adam, and John Clerk of Eldin. He was born in April 1757 in Edinburg ...

(1757–1832), Scottish judge, lived in

for several years. *

Sir Walter Scott Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832), was a Scottish novelist, poet, playwright and historian. Many of his works remain classics of European and Scottish literature, notably the novels '' Ivanhoe'', '' Rob Roy ...

(1771–1832) wrote the novel '' The Heart of Midlothian'' and lived at Lasswade Cottage (now Sir Walter Scott's Cottage) in

from 1798 to 1804, where he wrote his ''Grey Brother'', translation of '' Goetz von Berlichingen'', etc. and was visited by Wordsworth. * William Tennant (1784–1848), the author of ''Anster Fair'', was parish schoolmaster in

from 1816 to 1819. * Thomas de Quincey (1785–1859), author of '' Confessions of an English Opium-Eater'' (1822), lived in Man's Bush Cottage (now De Quincey Cottage), Polton, from 1840 until his death in 1859. * Thomas Murray (1792–1872), the Gallovidian author, died in Lasswade. *

(1809–1898), MP for Midlothian 1880–1895 and conducted his famous Midlothian campaign across the UK in 1880 * Patrick Edward Dove (1815–1873), mainly remembered for his book ''The Theory of Human Progression'', born at Lasswade * John Lawson Johnston (1839–1900), the creator of Bovril, born at Roslin. *

Charles W. Nibley Charles Wilson Nibley (February 5, 1849 – December 11, 1931) was the fifth presiding bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) between 1907 and 1925 and a member of the church's First Presidency from 1925 until hi ...

(1849–1931), Scottish-American religious leader in

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...

(LDS Church). Nibley was served as second counselor in the First Presidency to Heber J. Grant (1925–31), and Presiding Bishop (1907–25). * Charles Thomson Rees Wilson (1869–1959) of

, Nobel prize-winning physicist. *

George Forrest George Forrest may refer to: *G. Topham Forrest (George Topham Forrest, 1872–1945), principal architect for the London County Council * George Forrest (author) (1915–1999), American author and musician *George Forrest (botanist) (1873–1932), ...

(1873–1932), a plant collector who gained fame with his expeditions to the far east who spent a significant part of his early years in Loanhead. * Sir William MacTaggart (1903–1981), artist, and grandson of the artist William McTaggart, he became President of the Society of Scottish Artists, President of the Royal Scottish Academy, and Trustee of the National Museum of Antiquities. * Charles Forte, Baron Forte (1908–2007), the hotelier, worked in an Italian cafe in Loanhead, on his arrival in Scotland from Italy. *

Karl Miller Karl Fergus Connor Miller FRSL (2 August 1931 – 24 September 2014) was a Scottish literary editor, critic and writer. Miller was born in the village of Loanhead, Midlothian, and was educated at the Royal High School of Edinburgh and Downing ...

(1931–2014), founding editor of the '' London Review of Books'' and Lord Northcliffe Professor of Modern English Literature at University College, London (1974–1992), born in Straiton. *

Annette Crosbie Annette Crosbie (born 12 February 1934) is a Scottish actor.Annette Crosbie fil ...

(born 1934), actress, born in

Ishbel MacAskill Isabella Margaret MacAskill (née MacIver, 14 March 1941 – 31 March 2011) was a heritage activist and traditional Scottish Gaelic singer and teacher, often referred to as the "Gaelic diva". Early life She was born in Loanhead, near Edinburgh o ...

(1941–2011), heritage activist and traditional Scottish Gaelic singer and teacher *

Gary Naysmith Gary Andrew Naysmith (born 16 November 1978) is a Scottish football coach and former player, who is currently the manager of Scottish League Two side Stenhousemuir. Naysmith, who played as a left-back or left-winger, started his senior ca ...

from Loanhead (born 1978), Scottish International Footballer who played for Heart of Midlothian and Everton. He was named Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year in 1998. He won the Scottish Cup with Hearts in 1998. * Darren Fletcher (born 1984), from Mayfield Dalkeith. Scotland International footballer and holds the record of being the youngest player to captain his national side, and was part of the Manchester United squad that won the UEFA Champions League in the 2007–2008 season. * Steven Whittaker from Bonnyrigg, (born 1984), Scotland International footballer, ex-Hibernian F.C. and Rangers F.C.

Schools in Midlothian

Primary schools

*Bilston Primary School, Bilston *Bonnyrigg Primary School, Bonnyrigg *Burnbrae Primary School, Hopefield *Cornbank St James Primary School, Penicuik *Cuiken Primary School, Penicuik *Danderhall Primary School, Danderhall *Gore Glen Primary School,

*Gorebridge Primary School, Gorebridge *Hawthornden Primary School, Bonnyrigg *King's Park Primary School, Dalkeith *Lasswade Primary School,

*Lawfield Primary School, Mayfield *Loanhead Primary School,

*Mauricewood Primary School, Penicuik *Mayfield Primary School, Mayfield *Moorfoot Primary School, North Middleton *Newtongrange Primary School, Newtongrange *Paradykes Primary School, Loanhead *Rosewell Primary School, Rosewell *Roslin Primary School, Roslin *Sacred Heart RC Primary School, Penicuik *St Andrews's RC Primary School Gorebridge *St David's RC Primary School Dalkeith *St Luke's RC Primary School, Mayfield *St Margaret's RC Primary School, Loanhead *St Mary's RC Primary School, Bonnyrigg *St Matthew's RC Primary School, Rosewell *Stobhill Primary School, Gorebridge *Strathesk Primary School, Penicuik *Tynewater Primary School,

*Woodburn Primary School, Woodburn

Secondary schools

Beeslack High School Penicuik ( ; sco, Penicuik; gd, Peighinn na Cuthaig) is a town and former burgh in Midlothian, Scotland, lying on the west bank of the River North Esk. It lies on the A701 midway between Edinburgh and Peebles, east of the Pentland Hills. ...

, Penicuik *

Dalkeith High School Dalkeith High School is a secondary state school located in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland. History Dalkeith High School was previously the historic Dalkeith Grammar School. A list of masters of the Grammar School at Dalkeith (located on the ...

, Dalkeith * Lasswade High School Centre, Bonnyrigg *

Newbattle Community High School Newbattle High School ''(formerly Newbattle Community High School)'' is a non-denominational secondary state school located in Easthouses, Midlothian, Scotland within Newbattle Community Campus, which opened to the public on 26 May 2018. It is ...

, Dalkeith * Penicuik High School, Penicuik * St. David's RC High School, Dalkeith

Special schools

* Saltersgate School, Dalkeith *Top Services

Twin towns and sister cities

Midlothian is twinned with Komárom-Esztergom, Hungary and

Kreis Heinsberg Heinsberg is a Kreis (district) in the west of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany with the town of Heinsberg as its capital. Neighbouring districts are Viersen, Neuss, Düren and Aachen, the city of Mönchengladbach and the Dutch province Limburg. ...

, Germany. It is a sister city with Midlothian, Illinois, a suburb of

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

a town of

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rock ...

References

External links

* * {{Authority control Lieutenancy areas of Scotland Districts of Scotland Counties of Scotland Council areas of Scotland Counties of the United Kingdom (1801–1922)