Lothian

Lothian is a historic region in southeastern Scotland centred on the Firth of Forth and incorporating the City of Edinburgh and surrounding counties. The name is used historically and in some contemporary administrative and cultural contexts.

The traditional region is split today into the council areas of East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian and the City of Edinburgh, each with distinct landscapes - coastal plains, urban centres, and inland hills. Edinburgh is the dominant urban centre and Scotland’s capital.

Historically Lothian was an important medieval province and later formed the basis for modern local government divisions. Over time the territory has evolved administratively but remains a common geographic reference for the area surrounding Edinburgh.

Geographically the region lies on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth in the central belt of Scotland, with a mix of coastal lowlands, commuter towns and upland areas leading into the Southern Uplands.

• Administrative divisions: Historically a single province, the area is now administered as several council areas commonly referred to as East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian and the City of Edinburgh.

What to See #

• City of Edinburgh: Contains the City of Edinburgh - Scotland's capital and largest city - which is the administrative and cultural centre of the region.
• East Lothian: A mostly rural eastern area with coastline on the Firth of Forth, known for beaches, fishing villages and agricultural land.
• West Lothian: An inland area west of Edinburgh that includes former mining towns and commuter towns serving the Central Belt.
• Midlothian: A hilly area to the south of Edinburgh containing upland terrain, small towns and historic mining and quarrying landscapes.