Musselburgh

An attractive fishing town at the mouth of the River Esk, Musselburgh is the largest town in East Lothian and a great base from which to explore the scenic coastline, which stretches around, to Dunbar.

The town’s history dates back to Roman times when it was often fought over in conflicts between Scotland and England. The name Musselburgh, or 'mussel town', derives from the town’s history connected to the farming of mussel beds at the mouth of the River Esk.

Musselburgh is best known as a golf centre with the Musselburgh Links claiming to be the oldest playing golf course in the world. Other visitor attractions include one of the busiest racecourses in Scotland, for both National Hunt and Flat meetings, some notable historic sites, including a 13th century stone bridge across the Esk which was used by Edward II in his retreat from the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, and The Tollbooth which was built around 1590.