Edinburgh & The Lothians

Edinburgh & The Lothians is a beautifully woven patchwork of city, coast and countryside. From the hidden history of Edinburgh’s cobbled streets to the windswept shores of East Lothian and the hills of Midlothian and West Lothian, this region offers a soul-stirring escape. It’s a place to stay longer, breathe deeper, and uncover moments of quiet wonder.

Great things to do in Edinburgh & The Lothians

City, countryside and coast combine in Edinburgh & The Lothians, making it a popular Scottish holiday destination. Have fun exploring!

10 Incredible things to do in East Lothian

Discover an incredible array of things to do in East Lothian.

Film & TV locations in Midlothian

Discover Midlothian - a star of the big screen!

15 Stunning walks in the Lothians

Whether you’re basing yourself here for a holiday or day tripping from Edinburgh, there’s so much to discover on foot.

14 Hidden gems and things to do in Edinburgh

From breathtaking city views to a serene Japanese garden, discover some of Edinburgh's greatest hidden treasures.

6 Great day trips from Edinburgh

Discover great days trips from Edinburgh easily accessible by public transport. Including South Queensferry, Melrose, Roslin, North Berwick and more!

13 Must-try things to do in Edinburgh

Find a range of things to do, including top attractions like Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat and more.

Top days out ideas

Explore some of the finest attractions in Edinburgh & The Lothians.

Lost Shore Surf Resort

Come and visit Europe’s largest inland surfing destination, open now. Both novice and expert surfers will love it.

Scottish Seabird Centre

An award-winning visitor centre, in the beautiful coastal town of North Berwick.

Rossyln Chapel

Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 and has attracted and intrigued writers, artists and visitors ever since.

Walks from Gorebridge Station

Explore routes and trails around Gorebridge that range from 1hour to longer day walks that let you uncover the area and all it has to offer.

Go Ape Dalkeith

Ready to get your heart pumping? Look no further than Go Ape Dalkeith.

13 Historic castles near Edinburgh

Delve into Scotland's historic past and visit a great range of castles near Edinburgh.

Inspiring routes, trails & itineraries

Discover coastal sunrises, woodland paths and historic trails that invite you to slow down and reconnect with nature, heritage and yourself.

Walking in the John Muir Country Park, Dunbar
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Follow a route

Check out our ideas for exploring the Lothians, and get your walking boots on!

See what's on in Edinburgh & The Lothians

Buzzing festivals, cosy local events, Edinburgh & The Lothians is always alive with something to celebrate.

Dalkeith Country Park, Midlothian
© © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Events

There are loads of festivals and events taking place across the Lothians this year, here are just a few to whet your appetite.

Map of Edinburgh & The Lothians

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Travel to and around Edinburgh and the Lothians

Getting to

Train

Edinburgh & The Lothians has a reliable rail network to help you get from A to B in no time.

Midlothian is served by the Borders Railway line between Edinburgh Waverley and Tweebank in the Borders. Stops include Shawfair, Eskbank, Newtongrange (Scotland's National Mining Museum) and Gorebridge.

In East Lothian, the towns and villages of Musselburgh, Wallyford, Prestonpans, Longniddry, Drem, North Berwick and Dunbar are served by Edinburgh Waverley Station.

In West Lothian, Uphall, Livingston North and Bathgate are on the same line connecting visitors from Edinburgh main line stations in the East to Glasgow Queen Street in the West.

Check out travel to Edinburgh & The Lothians by train

Driving

Flying

Getting around

Bus and coach

Lothian Buses and First Bus are the two main bus companies that operate within the city and outskirts. The day buses run from 6am to midnight with night buses also available.

Midlothian and East Lothian are served by a number of bus operators which include East Coast Buses, Borders Buses, Lothian Buses, Stagecoach, Prentice Coaches and Eve Coaches.

There are regular bus services from Edinburgh to Linlithgow, Livingston, Bathgate, and elsewhere within West Lothian. The two main operators are Lothian Country Buses and First Buses and offer a wide range of travel connections – including through the night with the addition of NightBus Services.

Find out more information on buses and fares

Tram

Travel passes

Tours

Prestonfield House Hotel, an exclusive 5-star hotel
© James Thomson OBE

Places to stay in Edinburgh & The Lothians

From city centre apartments to exclusive use castles that are surrounded by lush countryside, there is a huge variety of accommodation options in Edinburgh & The Lothians.

Places to eat in Edinburgh & The Lothians

There are plenty of places to try Scottish food and drink in Edinburgh & The Lothians. Check out these foodie suggestions, from local producers to tasty restaurants.

Find information on accessible trips

Whether you’re travelling with kids, need a mobility scooter or you’re a wheelchair user, you’ll find the Lothians has a strong focus on accessibility.

Explore nearby

Step beyond Edinburgh & The Lothians and discover Fife’s coastal charm, the wild beauty of Dumfries & Galloway or the historic landscapes of the Scottish Borders.

Dumfries & Galloway

Dumfries & Galloway sits in the south west corner of Scotland. It's great for outdoor activities and historic attractions.

Fife

Discover the region of Fife, including holiday ideas, accommodation, travel information and maps, insider tips & fantastic things to see & do.

The Scottish Borders

Discover the Scottish Borders region, including holiday ideas, accommodation, travel information and insider tips.

Find experiences

Search a wide range of accommodation, events, food & drink options and things to do from indoor and outdoor attractions to activities, tours and more.

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