Local studies

Midlothian Local Studies and Archive Service holds a huge range of information about the history and culture of Midlothian. We are now based in Dalkeith Library, with our special, fragile and rare collections now held securely off-site at our Archive centre.

Opening hours

Local Studies & Archives is open to the public the same hours as Dalkeith Library:

  • Monday 10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday 10:00am - 7:00pm
  • Wednesday 10:00am - 1:00pm
  • Thursday 10:00am - 7:00pm
  • Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Saturday 10:00am - 1:00pm

You are welcome to browse our local studies collection during these hours. To help you find specific information, we are happy to make you an appointment.

If you need access to our special collections these are held in an external store, please email local.studies@midlothian.gov.uk or come to Dalkeith Library to enquire. We can have these delivered to the library of your choice (for use only in the library), the process takes several courier deliveries and we require at least a month's notice if you are working on a strict timescale.

For more information please contact:

How to find us

By public transport

The 3, 33, 49 buses run regularly from the centre of Edinburgh and stop immediately outside the building.

The 40 bus runs from Musselburgh to Dalkeith

The 39 runs between Woodburn and Gorebridge, also stopping at Dalkeith Library.

By car

There is no on street parking beside Dalkeith Library. Free parking is available in surrounding streets.