The programme for this year’s celebration of the richness of East Lothian’s cultural heritage and archaeology is now live.
East Lothian Archaeology & Heritage Fortnight brings together local experts and enthusiasts to showcase the wealth of history on our doorstep. This year’s event will run from 30 August to 14 September.
The programme features more than 60 events including talks, guided walks, excavations, re-enactments, exhibitions and workshops, or you can tune in to a series of online presentations.
The 1722 Waggonway Project are digging again this year. The team will be looking to answer further questions about Scotland’s earliest railway. What is the wider state of preservation of the waggonway? Are there wet or mineralised wooden rails? Could further remains of the iron railway be found? And above all, can we learn more about construction methods for early wooden railways from what we know is a unique and remarkably well-preserved site? On Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September the project team is inviting members of the public to come along to help out with finds, test pits and other essential archaeological tasks. There will also be living history activities to get involved in – wood carving, quill writing.
There are a number of guided walks and tours on throughout the fortnight. These include: the 1745 trail – a self-guided walk in the footsteps of General Johnnie Cope from Dunbar to the Battle of Prestonpans site; Lennoxlove House; Aberlady Bay in WWII; Musselburgh’s Hidden History; North Berwick History Walk; Drem Airfield in two world wars; Hidden History in the Hidden Toun (Haddington); St Andrew’s Kirk Ports, North Berwick; Unnoticed History in Gullane; Preston Mill; Prestonpans Battlefield Walk; Loretto School Campus tour of Pinkie House and Loretto Chapel; Gullane Railway Branch Line; Cockenzie Harbour History Walk; Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield Walk; St Mary’s Church, Haddington, Inside & Out.
Other activities are online presentations, talks and exhibitions including Golden Days, the Life of Charlie Horne, a local D Day veteran, fisherman, husband, father and a great dancer; and The Story of the Battle of Prestonpans.
Events include a Mini Traditional Skills Festival Weekend at Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery, Dunbar with walk and talks, skill demonstrations, a live fresco painting workshop and more; Preston Tower & Doocot Open Day; a Fresco Painting Course; a DIY Building Check Workshop showing you how to check your historic property; a Battle of Dunbar Day; an Old Maps Workshop; Woolly Craft Club; a Geophysical Survey Day at Lewisvale Park exploring Roman remains under the turf in Inveresk; Cousland Smiddy & Heritage Hub Open Day and Sketch & Wander in the Footsteps of John Muir.
The full programme is available online. Some events require to book places so please check and try to book early to avoid disappointment.
View the full East Lothian Archaeology and Heritage Fortnight programme
Archaeology & Heritage Fortnight is organised by East Lothian Council Archaeology Service with the support of the local history and heritage societies, the National Trust for Scotland and the Scottish Battlefields Trust and is sponsored by AOC Archaeology Group. The Fortnight is part of Archaeology Scotland’s annual Scottish Archaeology Month. For more information visit www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk