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Town in East Lothian, Scotland
Photo: james denham, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Musselburgh is the largest town in East Lothian in central Scotland, six miles east of Edinburgh city centre. It's an old fishing port which is now part of the commuter belt, with a population in 2020 of 21,100.
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Small museum of local history.
Palladian mansion house little changed since the 18th century, visit by pre-booked guided tour. The tranquil wooded grounds are free and open all year.
A garden on a domestic scale, open all year. The garden was designed in 1851 and restored by the National Trust for Scotland in 1959. No dogs. The adjacent Inveresk House (not open to the public) dates from the 17th century.
This has flat-racing Apr-Oct and jumps races Nov-March.
Located in the middle of the racecourse, this 9-hole links golf course is among the oldest continuously played courses in the world, dating back to 1672. Par 34. Players need to work around race fixtures.
A picturesque parkland course, 6254 yards, par 70.
This parkland course has been used for Open qualifying rounds. Yellow tees 6241 yards, par 69.
Quality steakhouse, deservedly popular.
Primarily an ice cream parlour, but they also serve all-day breakfast.
Good seafood restaurant.
Pleasant coffee shop and ice parlour.
Traditional, cheap and friendly local pub.
JD Wetherspoon's pub in a former cinema, with the usual cheap real ales and large menu. Moir (1798-1851) was a local physician and writer.
Pleasant guesthouse with 7 rooms near Fisherrow Harbour. Rooms are modern, all on first floor with no lift.
Attractive welcoming guesthouse east side of town.
Value-for-money budget chain, walking distance to Fort Kinnaird and railway station.
Another reliable branch of this chain just off A1.
Upscale hotel in imposing mansion, rebuilt from the 18th century. You need a car.
Open all year, this is a clean, well-run camping and caravan site with glamping pods.
By bus
For long-distance coaches change in Edinburgh: these fly past on the A1 and don't call at Musselburgh. Lothian Buses 15, 26, 30 and 44 run to Musselburgh from Edinburgh.
By train
Musselburgh railway station has trains hourly from Edinburgh Waverley (6 min), which continue to Wallyford (for racecourse), Prestonpans, Longniddry, Drem and North Berwick.
By road
From central Edinburgh follow A1 Milton Road onto A199; from anywhere else in the city join the city bypass A720 and loop around.
The main town and racecourse are all walkable. Buses between High Street and the railway station are Lothian Bus 30 and East Coast Bus 106.
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