River Esk, Lothian in the context of "Dalkeith"

Bonnyrigg is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, eight miles (13 kilometres) southeast of Edinburgh city centre, between the Rivers North and South Esk. The town had a population of 14,663 in the 2001 census, rising to 15,677 in the 2011 census, both figures being 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 as of 2018 was 18,120, the highest of any town in Midlothian. Along with Lasswade, Bonnyrigg is a twin town with Saint-Cyr-l'École, France.

Penicuik (/ˈpɛnɪˌkʊk/ PEN-ee-kuuk; Scottish Gaelic: Ceann na Cuthaige) is a town and former burgh in Midlothian, Scotland, lying on the west bank of the River North Esk. It lies on the A701 midway between Edinburgh and Peebles, east of the Pentland Hills.

The Battle of Pinkie, also known as the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh (/kl(j)ux/), took place on 10 September 1547 on the banks of the River Esk near Musselburgh, Scotland. The last pitched battle between Scotland and England before the Union of the Crowns, it was part of the conflict known as the Rough Wooing. It was a catastrophic defeat for Scotland, where it became known as "Black Saturday". A highly detailed and illustrated English account of the battle and campaign authored by an eyewitness William Patten was published in London as propaganda four months after the battle.