Mussellburgh

Musselburgh is a historic town in East Lothian, well known for golf, and its racecourse. The name, Musselburgh, derives from the extensive mussel beds which lie along its shore on the Firth of Forth. The Coat of Arms for Musselburgh is made up of three mussels and three anchors, with the anchors referring to the fishing tradition of the community. The interesting old market town of Musselburgh lies six miles east of Edinburgh, where the River Esk meets the sea. The 'Honest Town' developed from the 12th century as a rival to the capital nearby, with trade helped by having a port, which today is still lightly used for fishing and pleasure boating. Musselburgh Racecourse, the oldest in Scotland, has been a venue for racing since 1816. It was originally known as Edinburgh Races with meetings held on Leith sands. The racecourse then moved on to the attractive meadows setting at Musselburgh where it has been ever since. As a boutique venue, and VisitScotland Five Star Visitor Attraction, the racecourse is the ideal location for a great day out.