Musselburgh Area Guide

Musselburgh is just five miles east of Edinburgh, making it a popular choice for commuters to the city. This coastal town has a population of nearly 22,000 people, which makes it the largest settlement in East Lothian. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to buy a house somewhere that’s close to the city but with all the benefits of small town life. If you’re thinking of making the move to Musselburgh, we’ve put together everything you need to know about the area, from average house prices to the food, drink and culture of the town.

Average Property Prices in Musselburgh

According to data from Zoopla (March 2021), over the last 12 months, the average property price in Musselburgh was £221,212. We’ve broken that down to show you the average price by property price, to give you a better idea of how far your money will go:

• Detached house: £400,688
• Semi-detached house: £236,681
• Terraced house: £217,226
• Flat: £156,512

Life in Musselburgh

Musselburgh is a popular location for families, couples and young professionals, and has a wide range of property options for all budgets, whether you’re looking to buy a flat or a larger family home. We’ve highlighted everything you need to know about living in Musselburgh, to help you decide if it’s the right place for you to buy a property.

History of Musselburgh

Musselburgh has been a settlement since Roman times, and their presence is still felt in the town through the Roman Bridge which is in use to this day. The town became a burgh in around 1315, over 10 years before Edinburgh became a burgh. Today, it’s the biggest town in East Lothian with a thriving town centre.

Culture in Musselburgh

Musselburgh is famous for its racecourse, the second largest in Scotland. There’s also one of the worlds oldest golf courses in town, and the town is surrounded by plenty of walking and cycling paths for those who like to get out and explore by foot or on two wheels. Musselburgh has a theatre, The Brunton, which has a regular roster of plays, films, dance shows and musical theatre – perfect for culture vultures, without the need to venture into the city!

Food and drink in Musselburgh

Given its location by the sea, it’s no surprise that Musselburgh is home to several highly-rated fish and chips shop. Perhaps the most popular of these is East Coast, which houses both a traditional fish and chips shop and a modern seafood restaurant. Crolla’s Italian Kitchen is a popular choice for authentic Italian food, and there are several excellent ice cream parlours in the town, including the famous S. Luca. As for drinks, whether you like a cosy real ale pub, or like to hit the town for cocktails, there are options to suit everyone in Musselburgh at night.

Shopping in Musselburgh

Musselburgh’s town centre caters to all the essentials, including clothes shops, pharmacies and independent shops. There’s a large Tesco Extra in town, and branches of Lidl and Aldi close by. What’s more, the shops of Edinburgh and nearby retail parks are just a short drive away, so you’ll never be short of places to shop if you buy a property in Musselburgh.

Schools in Musselburgh

There are several good options for schooling in Musselburgh, including multiple well-regarded primary schools such as Campie Primary School, Musselburgh Burgh Primary School and Stoneyhill Primary School. Most secondary-aged pupils go to Musselburgh Grammar School, which is one of the oldest grammar schools in the country, and there’s also the option of Loretto School, a private co-educational day and boarding school for children of all ages.

Transport in Musselburgh

Located just five miles from Edinburgh, Musselburgh is easily accessible by car, bus and train. The town is served by two railway stations; Musselburgh Railway Station, which is situated opposite Queen Margaret University; and Wallyford Station, to the east of the town. Musselburgh benefits from frequent local bus services from both Lothian Buses and East Coast Buses, including several night services.

Help to Buy in Musselburgh

Help to Buy is a government scheme designed to make it easier to get on the property ladder. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, or looking to upgrade, you can benefit from Help to Buy when you purchase a new build home. You just need to save 5% of the total property price, and secure a mortgage which combined with your deposit, should make up 85% of the total price. The government will then provide an equity loan of 15%, which will make it far easier for you to take the necessary steps towards buying your dream home.

There’s a great selection of Help to Buy properties in Musselburgh and the surrounding areas, whether you’re looking to buy a cosy flat or a larger family home. You can view all the current developments in East Lothian here. Our Musselburgh mortgage advice centre is on hand to help with all aspects of mortgages and home buying.