The Lothians make up a thin strip curving around Scotland’s eastern coast, sandwiched between the Firth of Forth and the Scottish Borders. The Lothians are divided into West, Mid and East Lothians, although the area is probably best known for Edinburgh, which dominates Mid Lothian.

Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Lanarkshire and Falkirk surround West Lothian. West Lothian as a whole is pleasantly rural and hilly, but it does have a range of visitor destinations and historic attractions. Its most famous site is that of Linlithgow Palace. Although reduced to ruins today, Linlithgow Palace was the birthplace of James V and Mary Queen of Scots, and court of the Stewarts until James VI relocated to England to become James I of England. Linlithgow itself is a commuter town and visitor base, and in addition to the palace a popular excursion involves boat trips down the canal.

West Lothian also contains Livingston, a new build town and the second largest settlement in the area after Edinburgh. Livingston is a good place to enjoy some shopping, with the massive The Centre leisure complex and a designer outlet centre incorporating most brand names. South Queensferry at the base of the Forth Bridge is also worth visiting, with its quaint layout, wealth of historic buildings, and annual Ferry Fair Festival.

On the other side of Edinburgh sits East Lothian, edging mid Lothian and the Scottish Borders. At the heart of East Lothian is the market town of Musselburgh. Musselburgh is known for its racecourse and Musselburgh Links golf course, a 9hole course presumed to be the oldest golf course in the world and one of the first locations of the Open Championship. On the coast sits North Berwick, which was a well-loved Victorian seaside resort. It is still liked for its traditional buildings, golf courses and sand beaches. Boat trips around Bass Rock are also popular, where visitors can see some of the area’s seabird population.