Now the County Town of Midlothian and lying between the North and South Esk Rivers. The ancient town dates back to the 12th century and the Palace was built at the start of the 18th century for thye Duchess of Buccleuch whose husband, the Duke of Monmouth, was executed in London in 1685. Sir Walter Scott's "Lay of the Last Mistrel" is associated with this event. Visitors to the Palace have included Queen Victoria, Bonnie Prince Charlie, James IV and James VI. Today the town is thriving having had a few lean years after the end of industrialisation and coal mining. Fast becoming popular with people re-settling out of Edinburgh.... < more >