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Lothians Self Catering

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A million miles away from the bustle of city life, yet close to Edinburgh, the Lothians are the perfect place to relax and unwind.   The area consists of three distinct regions: East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, which together make up Edinburgh's surrounding coast and countryside. If you like walking, there are plenty of places to stretch your legs and enjoy beautiful views, from beach walks in Gullane and Yellowcraigs, to the Pentland Hills and country parks like Beecraigs near Linlithgow.  The area also has a wealth of ideas for days out or longer stays with things to see and do like the Union Canal, The Scottish Mining Museum and The Scottish Seabird Centre.

Dalkeith

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Dalkeith is located on the River South Esk, in the county of Midlothian, approximately 400 miles north of London and 8 miles south-east of Edinburgh.

It is an ancient market town which has developed into a modern commercial, retail and residential centre. There are some notable historic buildings, including the originally 12th-century Dalkeith House, and it is a good base from which to explore the nearby Pentland and Moorfoot hills which are very popular with walkers.

Dunbar

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With a natural harbour protected by a large defensible outcrop of rock, Dunbar was an obvious place for early settlement along this north east facing coast. The rock on which the remains of Dunbar Castle now stand has been fortified for the better part of 2000 years: and there is every chance that Dunbar itself is just as old.

But if Dunbar's origins owe much to its castle, so do its later fortunes and misfortunes. The castle was repeatedly besieged from the 1200s to the 1500s, and whether or not the attackers took the castle they usually burned down the town to make the trip worthwhile. Coupled with this, its position as a handy port on the English side of Edinburgh has made it well worth capturing in its own right. This remained true as recently as September 1650, when Cromwell used it as his supply base prior to his defeat of the Scottish Royalists at the Battle of Dunbar.

Haddington

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Haddington, the county town of the traditional Scottish county of East Lothian, is located within a bend of the River Tyne, approximately 400 miles north of London and 17 miles east of Edinburgh.

Surrounded by fertile agricultural land, it is an ancient and attractive town of wide streets set around a compact centre, which remarkably for its size has 129 buildings listed as historically interesting. Most notable of these is the 14th-century St.Mary's Church, Scotland's largest parish church, with its ornate display of gargoyles. Renowned as the birthplace of Alexander II of Scotland, the town is a good base from which to explore the beautiful coastline and hinterland of Lothian and Borders as well as the Lammermuir Hills.

Linlithgow

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Linlithgow is a historic Royal Burgh located in the central lowlands of Scotland - about 20 miles from Edinburgh and under an hour from Glasgow by train or car. It was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and the preserved ruins of the Royal Palace can be visited in a picturesque setting next to Linlithgow Loch.

North Berwick

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The Royal Burgh of North Berwick is located on the south-east coast of Scotland overlooking the Firth of Forth, in the county of East Lothian, approximately 405 miles north of London and 25 miles east-north-east of Edinburgh.

The architecture of the town is mainly Victorian and Edwardian but there are some notable historic buildings, including the nearby ruins of the 14th century Tantallon Castle once home to the Earls of Angus. North Berwick and its surrounding area is noted for having some of the finest golf courses in Scotland with other primary attractions being sailing, fishing and the Scottish Seabird Centre. There is an excellent variety of shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants and leisure facilities.

Penicuik

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Penicuik in Midlothian is the gateway to both the attractions of its own county and to Edinburgh and the Borders.

Ideally placed for visiting the capital of Scotland and its attractions, it is serviced by a regular 10 minute bus service operating into the city.  It takes approx 20-25 minutes to be on the outskirts of Edinburgh.  In Penicuik itself the town boasts the historic Penicuik House associated with Robert the Bruce. The estate has superb walks as does the town in general. French prisoners of the Napoleonic war are commemorated at the memorial in Valleyfield and there are also sites of ancient forts and castles within easy range.  A new swimming pool and leisure centre along with a library has recently opened and this is accessible to the public seven days a week.