The burgh is situated snugly under the Garleton Hills on the banks of a long lazy s-bend of the River Tyne.
Agriculture has long been the basis for Haddington's prosperity. Today people still enjoy taking part in the Haddington Farmers' Market, which takes place on the last Saturday of every month.
The successful growth of the town shows itself in some excellent architecture including the William Adam-designed 1748 Town House. St Mary's Collegiate Church, which dates from the 14th century, is one of the three great pre-reformation churches in the Lothian’s. More familiarly called 'the Lamp of Lothian', it is also the largest parish church in Scotland. The church is home to the grave of Jane Carlyle. A mile from Haddington, Lennoxlove House is a stately home belonging to the Duke of Hamilton, also has associations with Mary Queen of Scots and boasts an excellent art collection.
Trapain Law is the site of an Iron Age fort which was inhabited until the 11th century. Giffordgate in Haddington is also reputedly the birth place of the famous ecclesiastical reformer John Knox in 1505.
