Bilston, Midlothian

Bilston is a small village in Midlothian, Scotland, just south of Loanhead on the A701. It is next to Bilston Glen industrial estate.Bilston Burn is a tributary of the River North Esk. It flows east from the village, and is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).Bilston has a primary school, Bilston PrimaryA proposed bypass, taking the A701 east of the village, was put forward by Midlothian Council in 2000, and is included in the development plan. One of the proposed routes of the by-pass is through the SSSI woodland in Bilston Glen, although this option may prove expensive as a result of subsidence issues caused by extensive mine workings in the area. Protesters objecting to the scheme continue to occupy the SSSI woodlands, though no construction work has begun. This occupation has seen extensive building of tree-houses and has significantly altered the woodland.