Bonnyrigg

Bonnyrigg is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, eight miles (13 kilometres) southeast of Edinburgh city centre. 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.

For the Sydney suburb of the same name in New South Wales, Australia, see Bonnyrigg, New South Wales.

Bonnyrigg
Bonnyrigg
Location within Midlothian
Population15,677 [1]
Council area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townBonnyrigg
Postcode districtEH19
Dialling code0131
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

History
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 carpet factory was demolished in 1994.[4] 20th 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 benefited 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]

Transport
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 every 10 minutes at peak times and terminating alternately at Hopefield and Polton. The X31 service runs from Haymarket in Edinburgh to Rosewell via Bonnyrigg Toll and Hopefield. Lothian Buses service 49 from The Jewel (ASDA) to Rosewell and East Coast Buses service 140 from Musselburgh to Penicuik also serve the town.

The opening of the Borders Railway in September 2015 has re-connected Bonnyrigg to the national rail network via a station one mile away at Eskbank.

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

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 the Lowland League having gained promotion from the East of Scotland League in 2019. 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. Jamie McLeary (European/Challenge Tour) is the resident professional.

Other points of interest

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

Youth organisations

Twin town

See also

References
  1. Census, 2011
  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
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