Business
Midlothian has made a remarkable transformation from being an area relying on coal mining for the maintaining of its workforce and the backbone of its economy to becoming an area of pioneering diversity and technology as epitomised on four legs by Dolly the Sheep.
It is now a key centre of Scotland’s knowledge economy and has emerged as a UK, European and international platform for the developing bio-technology and life sciences sector. It has created a world reputation for research, development and production.
Midlothian Council has worked with key public and private sector partners to encourage the growth of this sector with a range of initiatives. It is a key partner in the Edinburgh Science Triangle (EST), an organisation set up to create a unique alliance of seven science and technology manufacturing parks which will combine to create a world-class scientific cluster.
These are Pentlands Science Park, Roslin BioCentre, Edinburgh Technopole, the BioCampus, Centre for Biomedical Research Medipark, Heriot-Watt Research Park and the Alba Centre.
Using the strength created by their individual specialisms and achievements, EST aims to raise the collective profile of all the parks through targeted marketing. EST encourages collaboration and the exchange of ideas and expertise between the seven different parks in order to further scientific development in the area.
The Midlothian Development Programme plays a central role in business assistance, providing a comprehensive programme of business advice, interest-free loans and grant assistance designed to encourage innovation, new business development and growth.
