They bridged the Esk downstream from the fort, and thus established the line of the main eastern approach to Scotland's capital for most of the next 2,000 years.

The town motto "Honestas" dates back to 1332, when the Regent of Scotland, Randolph, Earl of Moray, died in the burgh after a long illness during which he was devotedly cared for by the townsfolk.

Archaeological excavations by Headland Archaeology between 2003 and 2004, as part of work to renew the water mains, found that the medieval town was concentrated on the High Street and that occupation in the North High Street area and Fisherrow only dates to the 16th century or later.

The estate of Stoneyhill was formerly owned by Sir William Sharp and later passed to the Earl of Wemyss,[7] the notorious Francis Charteris.

The town and its population grew considerably throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, with major local authority and private housing developments on both the eastern and western outskirts.

The Battle of Pinkie, part of the Rough Wooing between Scotland and England, was fought south of Musselburgh in 1547.

As such, it elected a town council responsible for a number of areas of local governance, including housing, lighting and street cleaning and drainage.

The town council met at the Musselburgh Tolbooth and later, for a short period before its abolition, at the Brunton Hall.

At the 2011 Census, 52% of Musselburgh residents stated they belonged to a religion, with 51% being Christians,[12] and there are several churches catering to different denominations.

Early learning locations (ages 3–5) include The Burgh, Stoneyhill, Loretto RC, and St. Ninian's.

Musselburgh railway station is in the west of the town adjacent to Queen Margaret University and has regular ScotRail services from Edinburgh Waverley to North Berwick.

The Musselburgh Silver Arrow is reputed to be the oldest sporting trophy in United Kingdom,[15] and is competed for annually by the Royal Company of Archers.

The club is very inclusive in the community and was first established in 1886 and in its current format in 1994 where they trained at Loretto Swimming Pool which is now closed.

The East Lothian Seagulls of the Scottish Floorball League are based in Musselburgh and train and play matches at the sports centre at Queen Margaret University.

Fisherrow, Inveresk, Levenhall Links, Pinkie, Stoneyhill, Clayknowes, Denholm, Stoneybank, Queen Margaret University Student Village, Monktonhall, Pinkie Braes Musselburgh is twinned with:[21] "Champigny was already twinned with Rosignano, so a three-way link was considered advantageous.