Thursday June 11th 2026
Musselburgh Library does not have public toilets
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A busy library which offers shelter to people who need a warm space is to get a £50,000 grant towards building its own toilets.
Musselburgh Library is one of East Lothian’s busiest with 61,000 visitors last year but has to redirect people to a nearby hall if they need a bathroom.
A meeting of East Lothian Common Good Committee today heard staff regularly receive complaints about the lack of facilities and face further issues when The Brunton Hall, which provides alternative toilets a two minute walk away, closes for planned demolition in the near future.
Caroline Messer, customer services manager at the council, told the meeting that the library was no longer a place where people made quick visits.
She said: “Libraries have evolved into civic spaces where people of all ages meet for activities or spend time to reduce social isolation or save on the cost of heating their homes during the day.”
She added public access computers in the library were well used with people seeking help accessing benefit information and applying for jobs while families attended busy book bug sessions in the library.
She said: “There is an expectation for young children and elderly to be able to access public toilets which already results in complaints to library staff with them being two minutes across the road in the Brunton Hall.”
It was also revealed that the Musselburgh staff process the highest number of applications for National Entitlement Cards in the county with a ‘significant number’ for disability.
The closure of The Brunton will leave customers having to cross the River Esk in the town centre to reach public toilets or visit the FIsherrow Centre.
During the meeting local ward councillor and mum Shona McIntosh told fellow members: “It is a two minute walk to The Brunton for an adult but if you have a two year old who wants to walk for themselves it can take a lot longer.”
Councillors will be asked to approve the grant to cover part of the costs of creating four new toilets in the library.
A report to the committee estimated the total cost of the work at around £125,000.
Common Good Funds in Scotland originated in the 15th century and are the assets and income of some former Burghs. They represent a substantial portfolio of land, property and investments and by law continue to exist for the common good of the inhabitants of the former Burghs to which they relate.
East Lothian Council administers the assets of four common good funds within its boundaries. These are Dunbar, Haddington, Musselburgh and North Berwick.
Musselburgh has by far the biggest fund and is worth an estimated £9million.
The committee unanimously agreed to provide the grant but with an amendment that would allow the money to be provided over the next two years and ensure that if other additional funding was found the fund would be reimbursed any unused cash.
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