MUSSELBURGH, burgh of regality, Midlothian, Scotland, 5 m. E. of Edinburgh by the L.N.E.R. Pop. (1931), 16,996. The burgh, which lies on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, is intersected by the Esk and embraces the village of Fisherrow on the left bank of the river. While preserving most of the ancient features of its High Street, the town, with its fine beach and golf course, has tended to become a suburb of the capital. Loretto School, one of the foremost public schools in Scotland, occupies the site of the chapel of Our Lady of Loretto, which was founded in 1534 by Thomas Duthie, a hermit from Mt. Sinai, and was the favourite shrine of Mary of Guise. The 1st earl of Hertford destroyed it in 1544, and after it was rebuilt the Reformers demolished it again, some of its stones being used in erecting the tolbooth. In the west end of the town is Pinkie House, a Jacobean mansion, with a fine fountain, formerly a seat of the abbot of Dunfermline, but transformed in 1613 by Lord Seton. The painted gallery, with an elaborate ceiling, was utilized as a hospital after the battle of Pinkie in 1547, and Prince Charles Edward slept in it after the fight at Prestonpans (1745). Near the tolbooth stands
the market cross. At the west end of High Street is a statue of David Macbeth Moir ("Delta," 1798-1851), born in Mussel burgh. A bridge of Roman origin crosses the Esk, and Roman remains have been found near it. The chief bridge, which carries the high road from Edinburgh to Berwick, was built by John Rennie in 1807. The principal industries include paper-making, brewing, the making of nets and wire, confectionery, mats, boat building, pottery, besides saltworks and seed-crushing works. The fishery is confined to Fisherrow, where there is a good harbour. Race meetings and archery contests are held on the links. About I m. south-east is the site of the battle of Pinkie, and 21 m. south-east, on the verge of Haddingtonshire, is Carberry Hill, where Mary surrendered to the lords of the Congregation in 1567, the spot being still known as Queen Mary's Mount. Mussel burgh returns one of the five Edinburgh members to parliament.