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Edinburgh & The Lothians
Made up of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, Edinburgh & The Lothians is a compact area with plenty of top attractions to visit, and hidden gems to discover.
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Things to do in Edinburgh & The Lothians
The diversity of natural and architectural landscape between city, countryside and coast across the region means there's an abundance of things to see and do. Have fun exploring them!

Historic Attractions
Discover some of the best historic sites in Edinburgh & The Lothians.

Family Attractions
There is a whole host of attractions to visit across Edinburgh & The Lothians that are perfect for the family to enjoy.

Walking in Edinburgh
Explore Scotland's capital on foot.

Golf courses
Plan a golfing holiday and tee off at some well-known golf courses across Edinburgh & The Lothians.

Watersports
Head out on the water and try a range of amazing watersports including surfing, canyoning, wakeboarding and much more.

Arts & Culture
Embrace Edinburgh & The Lothians fantastic arts & culture scene with a range of unmissable events.

Parks, Country Parks and Gardens
Wherever you look, you see green, loads of green! Relax at parks and gardens in the city and the Lothians.
Edinburgh, UNESCO City of Literature
Storytelling and writing is the beating heart of Edinburgh's art and culture scene. Discover the home of many literary superstars past and present.
Inspiration for Edinburgh & The Lothians Breaks
Find the right accommodation in Edinburgh & The Lothians to suit your budget.

One of the suites at the luxury 5-star Balmoral Hotel
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Places to stay
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 Forth Bridges Trail
© Forth Bridges Trail / Stephen Sweeney Photography
Tours, Routes and Trails
Check out our ideas for day trips and tours in and around the Lothians.
Cycling sightseeing in South Queensferry
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Unique Experiences
Explore some of Edinburgh and the Lothians hidden gem attractions.
Map of Edinburgh & The Lothians
Explore Edinburgh & The Lothians
Get friendly and helpful advice for your trip at our iCentres.
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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.
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 which has 15 stops that connect to Edinburgh Airport with the City Centre.
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.
Tours
Take in the scenic surroundings and hear from a knowledgeable local tour guide on an open-top bus tour or delve into Scotland’s rich historic past with a walking tour.
Find a tour in Edinburgh & The Lothians
What's on in Edinburgh & The Lothians
Scottish Storytelling Centre
EVents
See an incredible magic show, be stunned by breathtaking stories or take the kids to see Santa in the forest. It's all happening with events in Edinburgh & The Lothians this season.
Places to Eat in Edinburgh & The Lothians

The Bridge Inn
© VisitScotland / Grant Paterson
Food & Drink
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.

Beecraigs Country Park
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins
Cycling in Edinburgh & The Lothians
Explore Edinburgh & The Lothians on two wheels across various National Cycle Network routes.

The Bass Rock seen from the Seafari Explorer - Seabird Cruise
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
East Lothian Driving Routes
Hit the road and discover the beauty, heritage and wildlife of East Lothian on three driving routes. From spectacular coastal vistas to fascinating historic sites and ancient woodlands.
For information on Electric Vehicle Charging Points in East Lothian.
National Museum of Flight
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Explore further
Discover the beauty of Edinburgh & The Lothians and enjoy lots of exciting activities.
A tip from your local expert

VisitScotland Information Centre
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Hoist the mainsail with a visit to Trinity House Maritime Museum, situated in a Georgian building in the heart of Leith. Discover the areas rich nautical history through their treasure trove of paintings, artefacts and memorabilia!
Lesley
Assistant iCentre Manager, Edinburgh
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