Cheap Hotels in Midlothian

With the exception of the volcanic hills and crags on which Edinburgh lies, the area along the coast of Midlothian is mainly low-lying and undulating. Inland the Pentland Hills run down the western border of the county, and the Moorfoot Hills across the south of the region.

Castle Rock in Edinburgh was occupied during the Bronze Age in about 1000 BC, and Picts later settled there. Prior to the development of a border between England and Scotland the ancient Kingdom of Northumbria incorporated much of present day Midlothian. The King of Northumbria, Edwin, built the first fortress on Castle Rock, leading to the town that developed around it being called 'Edwin's Burgh'. Much fought over by the English and Scots, it was finally taken by the Scots in 1341. During the 12th century coal mining began in the county, and by the end of the 18th century coal was the mainstay of the economy. As mining subsided new industries moved into the area, and the town of Dalkeith has developed into an important centre of electronics manufacture, located in Scotland's 'Silicon Glen'.

The vast majority of Midlothian is rural with agriculture occupying much of the land outside of the confines of Edinburgh. Walkers, hikers and birdwatchers frequent the hills that surround the capital, but the main tourist attraction in Midlothian is Edinburgh itself. The administrative, cultural, educational, and service-industry hub of Scotland, the city's heritage and architectural variety make it the second most visited city outside London, with over 2 million visitors per year.