One of the most coveted locations in the East of Scotland, East Lothian strikes the perfect balance of country living while also boasting fantastic links to Edinburgh and beyond.
Located on the coast and with each of its towns featuring an abundance of local amenities, East Lothian is an excellent place for families and professionals to put down roots. The historic town of Tranent is home to our Winton View development, not too far from Carberry Grange in Whitecraig near Musselburgh. Read on to discover why East Lothian is a great place to set up home.
Home to some of Scotland’s best views
No matter where you are in East Lothian you are never far from a stunning view. Whether you are looking across the Firth of Forth to the East Neuk of Fife or scanning the rolling countryside from Fa’side Castle there is always a sight to take your breath away. From Tranent you are just a hop, skip and a jump from Longniddry beach where the coastal views will clear your mind no matter the weather. And if you set up home at our Carberry Grange development in Whitecraig you can enjoy regular walks on the Carberry estate loop with its countryside outlook and pretty wild flowers.
East Lothian has an average 1400 hours of sunshine every year
According to the Met Office, East Lothian is one of the sunniest and warmest areas of northern Britain with average minimum temperatures dropping to just 2°c in winter and summer temperatures reaching an average 20°c. The reason – the area sits quite far south compared to much of Scotland, lying on roughly the same latitude as Edinburgh and nestled on the east coast where it’s frequently drier than the west.
Golfers’ paradise
Golfers needn’t look far to find their perfect fairway in East Lothian as the area boasts excellent courses. Musselburgh Links, The Old Golf Course, which is thought to be the oldest surviving golf course in the world, sits right on the water and boasts unparalleled views across the Firth of Forth and Longniddry Golf Club is a favourite with local golfers, situated just a 10-minute drive from our Winton View development. East Lothian also offers a scenic route up through Edinburgh and Fife, to St Andrews and Leven for those looking to take on some of Scotland’s best courses for a day.
Family friendly
East Lothian offers fantastic local amenities and activities. Tranent is the perfect place for families to set up home with a selection of schools, plenty of local football and rugby clubs and the Loch Centre with its swimming pool, sports hall, gym, soft play and dance studio. Likewise, the coastal town of Musselburgh has plenty of local amenities and is just a short stroll down the road from Edinburgh’s popular Portobello beach. Musselburgh Racecourse also adds a touch of glamour with locals and guests flocking to the popular racetrack during the season.
Dalkeith Country Park is just over the border in Midlothian but close to Carberry Grange and Winton View, making it the perfect spot for a family day out. From Fort Douglas Adventure Park with its turreted treehouses, zip wires and climbing walls for kids to Restoration Yard for a tempting coffee and cake, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. And if the great outdoors is your thing then the River Esk walkway near Musselburgh is another popular spot for your daily exercise.
Edinburgh in easy reach
One of the benefits of living in East Lothian is the area’s proximity to Edinburgh city centre, ideal for those who work in the city and for enjoying the capital’s shopping, culture and nightlife. From the exciting new St James Quarter for shopping, soaking up the city’s culture on the Royal Mile or even a trip to Edinburgh Zoo, there’s more than enough to keep the whole family engaged. Reaching Edinburgh is easy, especially from Musselburgh and Tranent. There are regular train services from many of East Lothian’s towns into Haymarket and Waverley, frequent bus services and the Edinburgh city bypass means you can be in the city by car in no time.
It’s a foodie’s heaven
If you live in East Lothian, you are completely spoiled for choice when it comes to delicious food and drink. S.Luca’s Ice Cream café has been a Musselburgh institution for over 100 years. Serving handmade gelato and sorbets, don’t be surprised if you have to queue! Fun for all the family, Archerfield Walled Garden is in the heart of East Lothian and is comprised of a garden shop, café featuring cakes from Mimi’s Bakehouse, grounds and fairy trail.
If you enjoy a wee dram, East Lothian is home to Glenkinchie Distillery, the Lowland Home of Johnnie Walker. Other local distilleries include NB Distillery, the perfect choice for stocking that drinks cabinet or bar with its array of locally produced spirits including its signature NB Gin. Finally, if beer is more your thing, Belhaven Brewery is the oldest working brewery in Scotland.
If dining out is high on your priority list then there are plenty of award-winning restaurants to discover too. The East Coast Restaurant in Musselburgh serves delicious fresh seafood and tempting fish and chips to stay or take away, and Crollas Italian also in the town is run by a father and son team and is thought to be one of the best Italian restaurants in the area. The Mercat Grill in Whitecraig is just a 5 minute walk from our Carberry Grange development and is family and dog friendly, its menu is packed with tasty dishes.
Find out more about our East Lothian developments and join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.