Musselburgh


Musselburgh lies just six miles from Edinburgh at the mouth of the River Esk and is one of Scotland’s oldest towns, dating back to about 80 AD when the Roman invaded Scotland and built a fortress and a bridge. As a result, they established the main eastern approach to Scotland's capital. The bridge outlasted the Romans by centuries and was rebuilt a couple of times. It still stands today for use by pedestrians.
The name, Musselburgh, derives from the extensive mussel beds which lie along its shore on the Firth of Forth. It was naturally a fishing town in its early days, but later made textiles, paper, fishing nets and wire. Once a great rival of its lofty neighbour, evident in the old rhyme


Musselburgh was a burgh
when Edinburgh was nane
And Musselburgh will be a burgh
when Edinburgh has gane


It is today an attractive upmarket dormitory town and seaside resort, and the largest in East Lothian. It is well-known for its sporting venues. The racecourse, established in 1816, is the oldest in Scotland. It is also home to the nine-hole Musselburgh Links, which is the oldest surviving golf club in the world. Visitors are welcome www.musselburgholdlinks.co.uk. There is also an 18-hole golf course at Monktonhall.
Buildings of note include the 18th century Newhailes House, which was recently bought by the National Trust for Scotland, a fine castle-like tolbooth dating back to 1590 and the mercat cross. Much newer is the popular Brunton theatre which was opened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1971 and recently renovated.