Bonnyrigg – the best of both worlds

30th September 2022

Population: approximately 18,000
Average house price: £236,000
Distance from Edinburgh: 8 miles
Schools: 5 primary schools and one high school
Transport links: close to Edinburgh City Bypass, A1, Borders Rail link, buses to Edinburgh every 10 minutes at peak times

With its proximity to Edinburgh, Bonnyrigg is proving to be an increasingly popular choice amongst a wide variety of homeowners.

Originally a small mining town, Bonnyrigg on the River Esk is one of the largest towns in Midlothian. Located approximately 8 miles southeast of Edinburgh, the town is within easy travelling distance of the city centre and the Edinburgh city bypass is just 2 miles away. There are also excellent public transport links and the Borders Railway can be easily accessed at nearby Eskbank station.

Whilst the town’s close proximity to the capital make it very attractive to homeowners, Bonnyrigg also offers excellent facilities and local services, as well as superb leisure opportunities and a strong local community.

The town centre offers a wide variety of shops including two supermarkets, independent retailers as well as quality eateries, hotels, pubs and a bank. Favourite restaurants include Gigi’s, The Beetroot Bar and Grill and The Orangery, not forgetting exciting new style bar Bannoc Brewhouse. The town is also conveniently located for Straiton Retail Park and further shopping can be found at nearby Dalkeith. There are also excellent eateries at neighbouring Lasswade including The Paper Mill and The Laird and Dog and the much loved Sun Inn at Eskbank.

From nursery to senior education, Bonnyrigg is very well served, with five primary schools, a high school and Edinburgh College’s Midlothian campus in nearby Eskbank. Bonnyrigg also has a Health Centre and three dental practices.

Nearby Dalkeith Country Park is the perfect place for families. Kids will love exploring Fort Douglas, the park’s superb children’s adventure playground, and you can grab a bite to eat and pick up treats to take home in the Restoration Yard Cafe and store. Take a walk through the park’s semi-natural woodland, and make sure to look out for Robert Adam’s Montagu Bridge, which straddles the River North Esk in a graceful arch, as well as deer, foxes and a myriad of birds.

Dalhousie Castle Hotel and Aqueous Spa at Bonnyrigg is a magnificent 13th century fortress set within acres of wooded parkland on the banks of the River Esk. Whether relaxing in the Spa, gathering in the library next to the open fire, dining in the vaulted 2 Rosette winning Dungeon restaurant, this 4 star hotel also offers a falconry centre. Brimming with over 700 years of history, once the seat of the Ramsay Clan, the castle boasts an illustrious guest list that includes King Edward I, Sir Walter Scott, Oliver Cromwell and Queen Victoria.

Coal was being mined from the area around Bonnyrigg from the end of the 18th century and in the years since the Second World War, eight collieries have operated in this part of Midlothian but none of them are still in operation. The national and renowned Scottish Mining Museum is located in nearby Newtongrange.

Golfers are well served with 18 hole Broomieknowe Golf Course in Bonnyrigg and Kings Acre Golf Course and Academy nearby. The town and surrounding area also have a variety of clubs including Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic Football Club, Lasswade Rugby Club, a bowling club, a sports complex and a leisure centre with swimming pool. Of course, the beaches and golf courses of East Lothian are also within easy reach too as is the lovely Scottish Borders to the south.

As you will see from this article, not only does Bonnyrigg offer a more affordable home, but the town and surrounding area also have a great deal to offer in terms of facilities, leisure opportunities, accessibility and community. It’s easy to see why the demand for properties in Bonnyrigg continues to grow and grow.

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