mains, found that the Medieval town was concentrated on the High Street and that occupation in the North High Street area and Fisherrow only dates to the 16th century or later. The early town was centered on the eastern side of the river Esk. The town and its population grew considerably throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, with major local authority and private housing developments on both the eastern and western outskirts. The Battle of Pinkie Cleugh was fought south of Musselburgh. Town Council Prior to the local government reforms of 1975, Musselburgh was a small burgh within the county of Midlothian. As such, it elected a town council responsible for a number of areas of local governance, including housing, lighting and street cleaning and drainage. Midlothian County Council was responsible for other areas, including education. The town council met at the Musselburgh Tolbooth and later, for a short period before its abolition, at the Brunton Hall. The town's civic head and chairman of the council was the provost and there were three bailies and a treasurer. After the local government reforms of 1975, Musselburgh was transferred to the East Lothian district of the new Lothian region, and subsequently became part of the East Lothian unitary council area in 1996. Demography Population As of the mid-2016 estimate, Musselburgh has a population of . At the 2011 census, the population was 19,159 and 93% of residents were born in the United Kingdom. Religion At the 2011 Census, 52% of Musselburgh residents stated they belonged to a religion, with 51% being Christians, and there are several churches catering to different denominations. Church of Scotland There are three Church of Scotland ecclesiastical parishes in Musselburgh, each with its own church: North Esk St. Andrew's High St. Michael's, Inveresk Roman Catholicism There is one Roman Catholic congregation which worships at Our Lady of Loretto and St Michael Catholic Church. Scottish Episcopal Church There is one Scottish Episcopal congregation which worships at St Peter's Church. Other Churches Harbour Church Hope Church Musselburgh Baptist Church Musselburgh Congregational Church Education Schools include Loretto School, a private boarding school, and Musselburgh Grammar School, the local large comprehensive that is one of the oldest grammar schools in the country, dating from 1608. Primary schools include: Campie Primary School, Musselburgh Burgh Primary School, Stoneyhill Primary School, Pinkie St Peter's Primary School, Loretto RC Primary School and Loretto Nippers