royal burgh (town), East Lothian council area and historic county, southeastern Scotland, on the left bank of the River Tyne. Lying in the direct route of English invaders from the south, the town, designated a royal burgh in 1130, was burned by forces from across the border in 1216 and again in 1244. Part of the 14th-century granite abbey church of St. Mary is now used as the parish church.

The present town, a centre for the fertile agricultural area of East Lothian, is closely associated with the 18th-century architect Robert Adam (Adam, Robert), who designed the fine Town House and many other buildings. The chief industries are milling, malting, agricultural engineering, and machinery. Haddington is the historic county town (seat) and administrative centre of East Lothian. Pop. (2004 est.) 8,580.