Musselburgh

:This article is about Musselburgh in Scotland. For Musselburgh in New Zealand, see Suburbs of Dunedin, New Zealand#Musselburgh and Tainui

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Musselburgh is a town in East Lothian, Scotland, on the coast of the Firth of Forth seven miles east of Edinburgh city centre and is a strong contender for the title of Scotland's oldest town. It was first settled by the Romans in the years following their invasion of Scotland in AD80. They built a fort a little inland from the mouth of the River Esk and bridged the river here. In doing so they established the line of the main eastern approach to Scotland's capital for most of the next two thousand years.

Related Topics:
East Lothian - Scotland - Coast - Firth of Forth - Mile - Edinburgh - River Esk

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The bridge built by the Romans outlasted them by many centuries. It was rebuilt on the original Roman foundations some time before 1300, and in 1597 it was rebuilt again, this time with a third arch added on the east side of the river. The Old Bridge is also known as the Roman Bridge and remains in use today by pedestrians. To its north is the New Bridge built in 1806. This in turn was considerably widened in 1925.

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The town has a population of 22,112 (2001). It is known for Musselburgh Race Course (horse racing), Musselburgh Links, a former venue of golf's Open Championship, Loretto School, a private boarding school, and Musselburgh Grammar School, the local large comprehensive that is one of the oldest Grammar schools in the country dating from the 17th Century.

Related Topics:
Population - 2001 - Musselburgh Links - Golf - Open Championship - 17th Century

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Musselburgh is also home to the Brunton Theatre.

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Inveresk lies to the south of the town and is known for Inveresk Lodge Gardens.

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