Bonnyrigg

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Bonnyrigg
Midlothian UK location map.svg
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Bonnyrigg
Location within Midlothian
Population18,320 (2022) [1]
Council area
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Bonnyrigg
Postcode district EH19
Dialling code 0131
Police Scotland
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
55°52′29″N3°06′11″W / 55.8747°N 3.1031°W / 55.8747; -3.1031

Bonnyrigg is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, which is eight miles (13 kilometres) southeast of Edinburgh city centre, between the Rivers North and South Esk. The town had a population of 14,663 in the 2001 census which rose to 15,677 in the 2011 census, both figures based on the 2010 definition of the locality which, as well as Bonnyrigg and the adjacent settlement of Lasswade, includes Polton village, Poltonhall housing estate and modern development at Hopefield. The estimated population for 2018 is 18,120, the highest of any town in Midlothian. [2] Along with Lasswade, Bonnyrigg is a twin town with Saint-Cyr-l'École, France.

Contents

History

Bonnyrigg Toll in the early 1900s Bonnrigg toll.jpg
Bonnyrigg Toll in the early 1900s

Early maps of the locality show various versions of the village name. It first appears as a small hamlet on William Roy's map of c.1750 as Bonnebrig. From 1763, it is called Bannockrigg or Bannoc Rig. In 1817 the village is named Bonny Ridge, then Bonny Rigg in 1828, Bonnyrig in 1834, Bonny Rig in 1850 until, finally, the Ordnance Survey map of 1850-1852 standardises the name as Bonnyrigg.

In 1865, the villages of Bonnyrigg, Red Row, Polton Street, Hillhead and Broomieknowe [3] combined to form the burgh of Bonnyrigg, and then, in 1881, the village of Lasswade and part of Broomieknowe combined to form the burgh of Lasswade. In 1929 the two burghs joined together to form the burgh of Bonnyrigg & Lasswade. This burgh lasted for 45 years until it was abolished in 1974/75, when local government changes were introduced. Bonnyrigg was a mining village until the 1920s, while its Henry Widnell & Stewart carpet factory was demolished in 1994. [4] Twentieth century expansions included the Hopefield, [5] Poltonhall [6] and Waverley [7] neighbourhoods.

The town centre mostly dates from the 19th century, though buildings at the main crossroads were rebuilt in the 1960s. [8] In 2006, Bonnyrigg town centre benefitted from £1.5M of environmental improvements. Natural stone paving replaced the existing concrete paving slabs in areas across the town centre and new street lighting and furniture were installed.

Under the Midlothian Local Development Plan, the area's population is to rise considerably during the 2020s, with ongoing developments at Hopefield and Burnbrae [9] south-west of the town centre augmented by another substantial project in the fields at Dalhousie Mains to the south-east. [10] [11] It is likely that the area's infrastructure will be unable to support the anticipated population increase.

Transport

Bonnyrigg railway station in 1962 Bonnyrigg railway station 1853118 18093eda.jpg
Bonnyrigg railway station in 1962

Bonnyrigg lies on the B704 (High Street)/(Dundas Street) and the A6094 (Polton Street)/(Lothian Street) which cross at Bonnyrigg Toll.

The most frequent bus service is the Lothian Buses service 31 which goes from East Craigs in the west of Edinburgh via Princes Street, passing Bonnyrigg Toll approximately every 15 minutes, terminating alternately at Hopefield and Polton. The X31 service runs from Haymarket in Edinburgh to Rosewell via Bonnyrigg Toll and Hopefield at peak times. Lothian Buses service 46 from Musselburgh to Rosewell via the Royal Infirmary and Fort Kinnaird, and East Coast Buses services 140 & 141 from Musselburgh to Penicuik, also serve the town.

Bonnyrigg railway station served the town from 1855 until 1962 for passengers, freight services continuing until 1965 when the station closed completely. [12] [13] The opening of the Borders Railway in September 2015 has re-connected Bonnyrigg to the national rail network via nearby Eskbank railway station.

For walkers the Penicuik–Dalkeith Walkway passes close by, and for cyclists National Cycle Route 1 plus NCN 196 pass through the town.

Churches

Cockpen and Carrington Parish Church Cockpen and Carrington Church 345.jpg
Cockpen and Carrington Parish Church

Bonnyrigg is served by several churches of different denominations. The local Church of Scotland congregations are Bonnyrigg Parish Church in the town centre, plus Cockpen and Carrington Parish Church to the south of the town. Bonnyrigg Parish Church was originally built as Cockpen Free Church. The local Catholic church is Our Lady of Consolation on Hawthornden Avenue.

Sport

Bonnyrigg is home to the football club Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic, who play in Scottish League Two having gained promotion from the Lowland League in 2022. They were previously a junior club, winning the East Region Super League four times, and are a joint force with Bonnyrigg Rose F.C (Boys Club). Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic play their home games at New Dundas Park and also have their own social club, Bonnyrigg Rose Social Club. Bonnyrigg Rose Boys Club play their home games at the Staiside Park, Bonnyrigg. They have teams all ages, ranging from under-7s, to under-17s.

Lasswade Rugby Football Club was founded in 1921 and initially played in a field to the west of Dobbies Road before moving to their current ground at Hawthornden in 1974. They compete in Scottish National League Division Three.

The local golf course is Broomieknowe Golf Club. It is an 18-hole course with a par of 70. Mark Patchett is the resident professional.

Other points of interest

King George V Park in Bonnyrigg contains a monument to the miners leader, Mick McGahey.[ citation needed ]

In literature

Bonnytown, the birthplace of the eponymous protagonist of John Galt's novel Lawrie Todd (1830) is based on Bonnyrigg. Galt identifies it as 'situated in one of the pleasantest holms of the sylvan Esk' and several chapters of the book are set in the village and surrounding parts of Midlothian. [14]

Youth organisations

Twin town

Bonnyrigg is twinned with Saint-Cyr-l'École in France.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Lothian</span> Council area of Scotland

East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, as well as a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area. The county was called Haddingtonshire until 1921.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midlothian</span> Council area of Scotland

Midlothian is a historic county, registration county, lieutenancy area and one of 32 council areas of Scotland used for local government. Midlothian lies in the east-central Lowlands, bordering the City of Edinburgh council area, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lothian</span> Region of the Scottish Lowlands

Lothian is a region of the Scottish Lowlands, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills and the Moorfoot Hills. The principal settlement is the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, while other significant towns include Livingston, Linlithgow, Bathgate, Queensferry, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Penicuik, Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Tranent, North Berwick, Dunbar, Whitburn and Haddington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dalkeith</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Dalkeith is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, on the River Esk. It was granted a burgh of barony in 1401 and a burgh of regality in 1540. The settlement of Dalkeith grew southwestwards from its 12th-century castle . Dalkeith has a population of 12,342 people according to the 2011 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Musselburgh</span> Town in East Lothian, Scotland

Musselburgh is the largest settlement in East Lothian, Scotland, on the coast of the Firth of Forth, five miles east of Edinburgh city centre. It has a population of 21,100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penicuik</span> Town in Midlothian, Scotland

Penicuik is a town and former burgh in Midlothian, Scotland, lying on the west bank of the River North Esk. It lies on the A701 midway between Edinburgh and Peebles, east of the Pentland Hills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Esk, Lothian</span> River in Midlothian and East Lothian, Scotland

The River Esk, also called the Lothian Esk, is a river that flows through Midlothian and East Lothian, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loanhead</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Loanhead is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, in a commuter belt to the south of Edinburgh, and close to Roslin, Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith. The town was built on coal and oil shale mining, and the paper industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lasswade</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Lasswade is a village and civil parish in Midlothian, Scotland, on the River North Esk, nine miles south of Edinburgh city centre, contiguous with Bonnyrigg and between Dalkeith to the east and Loanhead to the west. Melville Castle lies to the north east. The Gaelic form is Leas Bhaid, meaning the "clump at the fort."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linlithgow</span> Town in Scotland

Linlithgow is a town in West Lothian, Scotland. It was historically West Lothian's county town, reflected in the county's historical name of Linlithgowshire. An ancient town, it lies in the Central Belt on a historic route between Edinburgh and Falkirk beside Linlithgow Loch. The town is situated approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of Edinburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonnyrigg Rose F.C.</span> Association football club in Scotland

Bonnyrigg Rose Football Club is a Scottish football club from the town of Bonnyrigg. Formed in 1881 and nicknamed the Rose, the team plays in Scottish League Two, having been promoted after winning the Lowland Football League in 2021–22.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosewell, Midlothian</span> Village in Midlothian, Scotland

Rosewell is a former mining village in Midlothian, Scotland, east of Roslin and south-west of Bonnyrigg. The village is in the civil parish of Lasswade and was previously a separate ecclesiastical parish, but has its own Community Council, namely Rosewell and District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lasswade High School Centre</span> State secondary school in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland

Lasswade High School is a non-denominational secondary state school in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland. It has a roll in excess of 1500 students. The school's catchment area covers the towns of Bonnyrigg, Loanhead, Rosewell and surrounding villages.

Lasswade and Rosewell Parish Church serves the communities of Lasswade, Poltonhall and Rosewell, Midlothian, Scotland. It is a congregation of the Church of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cockpen and Carrington Parish Church</span> Church in Midlothian, Scotland

Cockpen and Carrington Parish Church is located to the south of the town of Bonnyrigg in Midlothian, Scotland. It is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. The parish includes the south side of the town of Bonnyrigg, plus the rural area to the south of the town.

The Esk Valley Railway was a short branch line built to serve industry in the valley of the River North Esk, south of Edinburgh in Scotland. The terminus was Polton. The line opened on 15 April 1867

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hopefield, Bonnyrigg</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Hopefield is an area in the south of Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, occupied by a mid-20th century residential neighbourhood and by an early-21st century, ongoing housing development, built on land dating back to 17th century Polton South Mains Farm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cockpen</span> Parish in Midlothian, Scotland

Cockpen is a parish in Midlothian, Scotland, containing at its north-west corner the town of Bonnyrigg, which lies two miles (3.2 km) south-west of Dalkeith. It is bounded on the west and north by the parish of Lasswade, on the east, by Newbattle and on the south by Carrington. It extends about three miles (4.8 km) from north to south and its greatest breadth is about 2+1⁄2 miles (4.0 km).

Glencorse is a parish of Midlothian, Scotland, lying 7 miles south of Edinburgh. It is bounded on the north-west by the former parish of Colinton now within the City of Edinburgh, to the north and west by Lasswade and to the south and west by Penicuik.

References

  1. ↑ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. ↑ "Bonnyrigg, Midlothian" . Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  3. ↑ Broomieknowe, Gazetteer for Scotland
  4. ↑ Bonnyrigg, Gazetteer for Scotland
  5. ↑ Hopefield, Gazetteer for Scotland
  6. ↑ Poltonhall, Gazetteer for Scotland
  7. ↑ Waverley, Gazetteer for Scotland
  8. ↑ "Bonnyrigg & Lasswade Local History Society". Neil K Stewart. 8 September 1994. Archived from the original on 21 January 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2007.
  9. ↑ Burnbrae, Gazetteer for Scotland
  10. ↑ Midlothian Local Development Plan 2017 Midlothian Council
  11. ↑ Plea to pause house building in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian Advertiser, 21 November 2018
  12. ↑ "Bonnyrigg rail route to close as passengers favour bus to the city".
  13. ↑ "Disused Stations: Bonnyrigg Station".
  14. ↑ Galt, John, Regina Hewitt (ed.) (2023), Lawrie Todd: or The Settlers in the Woods, Edinburgh University Press, p. 1, ISBN   978-1-4744-6057-6
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