Dalkeith heritage: These 23 pictures from the 1950s and 1960s show what life was like in the Midlothian town

The town gets its name from the combination of the two Cumbric words ‘ddol’ and ‘coed’ – meaning ‘wooded valley’.

Set on the River Esk, Dalkeith grew around the 12th century castle now known as Dalkeith Palace, being made a burgh of barony in 1401 and a burgh of regality in 1540.

Prior to this archaeologists have found evidence of human habitation all the way back to prehistoric times, as well as a temporary Roman camp in the area.

In 1650, The English New Model Army, under the command of Oliver Cromwell, came to Dalkeith in 1650 during the invasion of Scotland, with his Scottish Commander General George Monck taking over the then Dalkeith Castle.

Industry came to town in 1931 courtesy of a railway ling with Edinburgh that transported coal, minerals and agricultural products, with the largest indoor grain market in Scotland opening there in 1853.

And Dalkeith came to national political prominence in 1879 when William Gladstone started his successful campaign for British Prime Minister in the town.

In modern times the town’s most prominent buildings include Dalkeith Palace, which replaced the castle in the late 16th century and was rebuilt in the early 18th century, alongside St Nicholas Buccleuch Church with a history dating back to the 15th century, and the 18th century Tolbooth in the town centre.

Here are 23 pictures to take you back to Dalkeith in the 1950s and 1960s.

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