Lothian forms a traditional region of Scotland, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills. It takes its name from the semi-legendary Brythonic King Loth or Lot. Subsequent Scottish administrative history saw it subdivided into the shires of West Lothian, Midlothian and East Lothian.

It was resurrected as a government region of Scotland in 1975, only to be split up in 1996 into West Lothian, City of Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian, which had previously been the region's districts.

Lothian continues to have joint boards for valuation and electoral registration and for health.