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The Glen Golf Club At North Berwick

  1. Home
  2. Places to go
  3. Edinburgh & The Lothians

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.

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.

Rosslyn 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.

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!

  • John Muir Way
  • The Forth Bridges Trail
  • A Wee Pedal
  • Walking in Edinburgh

See what's on in Edinburgh & The Lothians

From buzzing festivals to cosy local celebrations, Edinburgh & The Lothians is bursting with unforgettable events and experiences all year round.

Performers at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2024

Edinburgh Festivals, May - October 2026 - From the family fun of Edinburgh International Children's Festival and the sounds of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival to the global creativity of Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh’s festival season is packed with unforgettable experiences.

Royal Highland Show, 18 - 21 June 2026 - Experience one of Scotland’s biggest celebrations of farming, food and rural life, with livestock displays, local produce, shopping, entertainment and activities for all ages.

Genesis Scottish Open, 9 - 12 July 2026 - Enjoy world-class golf and an unforgettable atmosphere as top players compete against the stunning backdrop of Scotland’s golfing coastline.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, 7 - 29 August 2026 - Witness a spectacular celebration of music, performance and military tradition, with breathtaking displays and performers from around the world in the heart of Edinburgh.

Party at the Palace, 8 - 9 August 2026 - Celebrate a weekend of live music, festival vibes and unforgettable performances, bringing together top acts and a fantastic atmosphere for music lovers of all ages.

Dunbar's Music Festival, 25 - 27 September 2026 - Discover a lively weekend packed with live music, local talent and community spirit, with performances and entertainment taking place across the town.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay, 29 - 31 December 2026 - Ring in the New Year with spectacular celebrations, live entertainment, fireworks and an unforgettable atmosphere in Scotland’s capital.

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.  

Check out travel to Edinburgh & The Lothians by train 

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. 

Find more information on Scottish airports 

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

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. 

  • Visit East Lothian - Places to Stay
  • Visit West Lothian - Accommodation
Find more accommodation in Edinburgh

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. 

  • Visit East Lothian - Food & Drink
  • Eating & Drinking in Midlothian
  • Visit West Lothian - Food & Drink

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. 

  • AccessAble Guide - Edinburgh & The Lothians
  • Ideas for wheelchair-friendly days out by SimplyEmma
  • Euan's Guide to Edinburgh

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.

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