Midlothian
Unitary authority in southeast Scotland, south of the Firth of Forth,
which was previously a district within Lothian region (1975-96)
and a county until 1974
Area:
363 sq km/140 sq mi
Towns:
Dalkeith (administrative headquarters), Penicuik, Bonnyrigg
Physical:
Inland area rising toward the Moorfoot Hills in the south; river Esk
Features:
Crichton Castle, Roslin Castle, Rosslyn Chapel, Newtongrange Mining
Museum
Industries:
Glass and crystal, coal- mining (declining), light manufacturing, food
processing
Agriculture:
Productive agriculturally to the north (arable and dairy), less productive
and intensive toward the hills in the south
Population:
(1995) 79,900
History:
Historically important mining area, with Scottish Mining Museum at
Newtongrange.
Economy
The area is diversifying as it adjusts to the demise of the coal industry.
Development is on a small to medium scale.
Environment
There are 14 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, two Ramsars (wetland
sites), one regional park, and three country parks.
Architecture
Crichton Castle, now in ruins, is on the Tyne, 19 km/12 mi east of
Edinburgh. The 14th-century tower house, mentioned by Walter Scott
in his story Marmion (1808), was rebuilt in 1585 in Italianate
style by Francis Stuart, 5th Earl of Bothwell. The 15th-century
chapel at Roslin, built by William Sinclair, has intricate stone
carvings and sculptures, including the allegorical `Dance of Death´,
and the Late Gothic `Prentice Pilar´.
Industrial Heritage
The Scottish Mining Museum at Lady Victoria Colliery near Newtongrange,
was a working mine from 1890 until its closure in 1981. It contains
the `Grant-Richie´ winding engine which could lift coal from almost
500 m/1,640 ft below the surface.
Administrative History
The county of Midlothian was more extensive than the present unitary
authority and included land now belonging to each of its four
neighbouring authorities, East Lothian, West Lothian, Scottish
Borders and the City of Edinburgh.
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