Bonnyrigg

History

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 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. The town centre mostly dates from the 19th century, though buildings at the main crossroads were rebuilt in the 1960s. 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.

Transport

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 services 40 from Portobello to Penicuik and 49 from The Jewel (ASDA) to Rosewell 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.

Churches

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 junior football club Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic, who have won the East Region Super League in the seasons 2008–09, 2011–12 and 2015–16, 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-7's, 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.

The local golf course is Broomieknowe Golf Club. It is an 18-hole course with a par of 70.

Jamie McLeary European/Challenge Tour professional resident.

Youth organisations

Twin town