The next stage in an ambitious project to develop a heritage park within the former Prestongrange Colliery and Brickworks between Prestonpans and Musselburgh started earlier this month.
This latest phase will focus on the repair and redevelopment of the former Pithead Bath House building. Work is being completed by Clark Contracts and is expected to last until early 2026 but will not affect the operation of the Prestongrange Museum or access to the wider park.
The construction is being supported with £1.2 million through the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. It will involve repairs to the structure and roof of the building and the creation of a volunteer base and activity room within the former Medical Centre of the Pithead Baths building, to encourage wider community use of the park and help build future volunteer capacity.
The aim for this phase of the project is to secure the fabric of the former Pithead Bath House building, continue the delivery of an accessible, carbon neutral community hub and education space, and encourage further dialogue to identify future uses of the building that will complement the wider heritage park and contribute to the long-term sustainability and viability of this important attraction.
Councillor Colin McGinn, Cabinet Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing, said “Heritage-led regeneration at Prestongrange, and across the wider Preston Seton Gosford area, has enhanced the area for local communities, will increase visitor numbers to the area, and will provide a boost for the local economy, including employment.
“This area has a rich industrial history and it’s fantastic to see this next phase of development at this fascinating site, which is well-loved and well-used by local people and visitors alike.”
The redevelopment works at Prestongrange have been made possible by funding from the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.
Built in 1952, the Prestongrange Pithead Bath House was the 100th facility created by the National Coal Board (NCB) in Scotland. It was constructed for a cost of £63,578, and formally opened on 12th September 1952.
The building had washing and changing facilities for 969 men and a steam powered heating system. Despite its name the building contained rows of tiled showers but no baths. The building also contained lockers, a bike storage room, first aid room and offices.
These pithead baths made a huge improvement both in industrial welfare and societal facilities, offering miners showers and changing facilities for the first time as well as providing canteen and medical facilities. Prior to this, miners had to go home covered in coal dust and in their dirty and damp working clothes.
The Bath House building became redundant when the colliery closed in 1962 and has had a number of uses since then. The work being undertaken will once again bring the building back in to use as the Prestongrange site continues its transition from its industrial past to a rewilded and repurposed future.
Prestongrange Heritage Park has seen recent investment as part of a planned, incremental regeneration of this important heritage asset including the construction of the new Engine Shed to house the collection of locomotives and rolling stock and the installation of new fencing around many of the industrial artefacts to ensure public safety and manage the condition of the exhibits.
Prestongrange Museum opened for the 2025 season on 2 April and is open 11am to 4.30pm Wednesday to Sunday until the end of September. Visitors can see the locomotives and rolling stock as part of a guided tour of the site.