East Lothian is approximately 270 square miles in area and has 43 miles of coastline.  Our boundaries extend from Musselburgh, immediately east of Edinburgh's suburban edge, eastwards to Dunbar and beyond to the Scottish Borders.  From the coastline of the Firth of Forth, an agricultural plain extends southwards to the Lammermuir hills.

The population of East Lothian is 94,440.  More than half the population live in its western sector, the main towns being Musselburgh (population 21,900), Prestonpans (7,070), Tranent (8,940) and Cockenzie/Port Seton (5,640).  The principal towns in the east are Haddington (8,750), North Berwick (6,380) and Dunbar (6,940).  Although Musselburgh is the largest town, Haddington is the administrative centre for East Lothian Council.

East Lothian Council has had a coalition SNP/Scottish Liberal Democrat administration since 2007.  The current make up of the Council is: 9 Scottish National Party; 7 Scottish Labour; 4 Scottish Liberal Democrat; 2 Scottish Conservative; and 1 Independent.

The Council's main office campus is in Haddington (centred on John Muir House), though there are also significant offices in Musselburgh (Brunton Hall) and Macmerry (Penston House and Randall House).  There are also public area offices in all the main towns as well as public libraries in many of our smaller towns and villages.