Musselburgh is situated six miles east of Edinburgh on the south shore of the Forth estuary. With a population of 18,000, it is the largest town in East Lothian. In the 19th century the town expanded greatly to serve the paper, wire and cotten mills that flourished along the banks of the river Esk. This expansion served to link a number of the surrounding villages to Musselburgh. The loss of the local industries, changing work patterns and leisure pursuits have had a significant effect on the community, and the Old Musselburgh Club feel it is important that the recent history of the town is recorded.