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The Glen Golf Club At North Berwick
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.
15 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!
11 Fascinating 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.
How to 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 Tweedbank 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.
Driving
Edinburgh is serviced by excellent road links from north, south, east and west, making it a straightforward drive across Scotland and the rest of the UK. Driving from Aberdeen takes approximately just over 2 hours and takes around an hour’s drive from Glasgow.
Midlothian is accessible from the A68, A7, A701, A702, A1 in the East and Edinburgh City Bypass (A720).
East Lothian is easily accessed from the A1, A68 and M8 and is just a 30-minute drive away from Edinburgh. If you're travelling by electric car, check out all EV charge points from Chargeplace Scotland, Zap Map and Pod Point.
If you’re travelling to West Lothian, join the M8, head east towards Edinburgh and then take the junction for the M9.
Flying
Edinburgh Airport is the nearest airport and is served by a number of national and international routes.
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.
Tram
Edinburgh has a tram line with 23 stops that connect to Edinburgh Airport to the City Centre and Newhaven.
Plan your journey with Edinburgh Trams
Travel passes
If you’re planning to take the bus frequently, buying a Ridacard from Lothian Buses is a cheaper alternative to buying bus tickets every day and offers unlimited travel on several buses including Airport buses, NightBus services and even Edinburgh Trams.
Planning a weekend trip to Edinburgh? The Royal Edinburgh Ticket is valid for 48 hours and includes fast track admission to popular attractions including Edinburgh Castle, The Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia, three Hop-on, Hop-off Edinburgh Bus Tours and exclusive discounts at various attractions across the city.
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.
The Lobster Shack
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.
Tantallon Castle, East Lothian
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.
Other things you might like
11 Fascinating things to do in Edinburgh
Visit East Lothian
Visit Midlothian
7 Incredible trips you could take this weekend
Edinburgh
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