Edinburghshire (or mid-Lothian), maritime county in SE. of Scotland; is bounded E. by Haddington (or East-Lothian), Berwick, and Roxburgh; S. by Selkirk and Peebles; SW. by Lanark; and NW. by Linlithgow (or West-Lothian); coast-line, 12 miles; 231,724 acres, population 389,164. The surface is finely diversified. The Moorfoot Hills, a continuation of the Lammermuirs, occupy the SE.; the Pentland Hills stretch across the co. from the SW. All the streams, with the exception of the Tyne and Gala, in the E. and the SE., run to the Firth of Forth; the principal are the North Esk, the South Esk, the Water of Leith, and the Almond; the North Esk especially is noted for its picturesque scenery. The lowlands towards the Forth are the most fertile; the hilly parts of the S. are chiefly under pasture; in the W. are dairy-farms; in the vicinity of the city of Edinburgh are extensive nursery grounds and market gardens. The principal crops are oats and barley, turnips and potatoes. The county consists chiefly of carboniferous strata; and coal, shale, ironstone, limestone, and freestone, are extensively worked. There are valuable herring fisheries in the Firth of Forth. The manufactures are limited; but (beyond Edinburgh and Leith) there are numerous paper mills, oil-works, and several iron foundries and brick and tile works. Gunpowder is made at Roslyn. The county is traversed by the North British and Caledonian Railways, and by the Union Canal. It contains 28 parishes, and 4 parts, the parliamentary burgh of Edinburgh, and the Leith Burghs.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)
Note: see the separate entry for Edinburgh.
Cousland Smiddy
Hadfast Road, Cousland
Dalkeith EH22 2NZ
0131 663 8118
www.cousland.net/smiddyhistory.asp
In its heyday, the Smiddy was at the centre of the village social life. On long summer evenings, the smith worked late and folk came to watch the work and have a crack; games of quoits were played (throwing horse shoes at a marker post) and even boxing matches were sometimes held. The 18th century Smiddy is a treasure trove of old tools and agricultural and metal working artefacts.
Lothians Family History Society
c/o Lasswade High School Centre, Eskdale Drive
Bonnyrigg EH19 2LA
Whether you are a novice or an accomplished researcher the LFHS is here to help you. If you live locally or at a great distant our Society is committed to help you in your quest for knowledge about your family tree.
Midlothian Local Studies & Archives
Local Studies and Archives, 2 Clerk Street
Loanhead EH20 9DR
0131 2713976
Local history and heritage resources in Midlothian.
Rosslyn Chapel
Chapel Loan
Roslin EH25 9PU
0131 440 2159
Rosslyn Chapel is a Category A listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument, located in the village of Roslin, approximately 7 miles south of Edinburgh. Built between 1446 and 1484, practically every surface of Rosslyn Chapel is covered with carvings of individual figures and scenes.