Scotland has an ancient and fascinating history and Midlothian, which is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, is fully part of the vibrant history of a land of stunning beauty. It is simply not possible to give a synoptic view of the history of Scotland, there is simply too much of it. The fascinating part is that everything is interwoven; nothing stands separate from it all.

The borders of Midlothian are formed by the Scottish Borders, East Lothian and the City of Edinburgh area. The county is smaller today than in the past as some of the areas have been incorporated into four areas bordering on Midlothian. The county today covers 363 sq km and within this area lay 31 towns and villages. This means that visitors to this stunning part of Scotland will never be at a loss for interesting places to visit or things to do.

History is alive

Midlothian is a historically significant mining area and although coal mining has declined greatly this important part of the area’s history has been immortalized in the Scottish Mining Museum. The museum is located near Newtongrange at the Lady Victoria Colliery and worth a visit for all visitors to the area.

Today the main industries of the area are agriculture, both dairy and arable, glass and crystal, food processing, light manufacturing and coal mining on a small scale.

The history and heritage of Scotland is very much alive in Midlothian and can be seen in the architecture of many fine buildings of which Rosslyn Chapel is the best known. It is a stunning 15^th century Gothic church that leaves visitors in awe. The chapel is at present undergoing extensive restoration as it would be unthinkable for such a treasure to fall into disrepair.

Visitors

Visiting Midlothian is easy as it is located a short drive from Edinburgh International Airport so it is ideal for a holiday or for attending an event. The only problem is that there are so many beautiful places to visit and experience that one visit is never enough.  Once you start compiling a list of all the places, especially historical sites to visit and activities to enjoy, the list becomes very long indeed. It is simply not possible to cram it all into a single visit.

For those that love the outdoors there are guided walks and there is a ranger service at Dalkeith that will show people the workings of a country estate and the wonders of the countryside. The indoor rainforest is also a great attraction for young and old and a great trip of discovery.

Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre has something for everyone, both locals and visitors. It has great sporting facilities, pool, gym and sauna to name a few.

Stay awhile

Midlothian beguiles the visitor into staying just a little bit longer with its natural beauty and warm hospitality. Visitors have the option of staying at good hotels, stately homes and stunning holiday cottages where they can just relax and forget about the stress of their everyday lives.