east lothian Archaeology & Local History Fortnight 30 August - 15 September 2014

Heritage on your doorstep

Be part of Scottish Archaeology Month www.eastlothian.gov.uk/archaeology Archaeology Disabled access & Local History Fortnight No disabled access Partial disabled access is organised annually by East Lothian Council’s Archaeology Service. To find out more about what A Primarily for adults/ 16+ we do, and about other events held throughout the F Family event year visit www.eastlothian.gov.uk/archaeology Sturdy footwear/ This fortnight is part of Scottish Archaeology Month, appropriate clothing held annually in September by Archaeology . Please note no dogs, To find out about events held throughout Scotland except guide dogs. visit www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk

For more information about events at Historic Scotland properties visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk and for events at National Trust for Scotland properties visit www.nts.org.uk

The John Gray Centre in Haddington brings together the library, archives, museum, and local history centre, and its website provides an opportunity to search archaeology, museums, and archive records for East Lothian: www.johngraycentre.org

Booking is essential for many of the events Where booking is required call 01620 827408 or email [email protected] unless otherwise indicated. JOINING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE GIVEN ON BOOKING. Saturday 30 August Sunday 31 August

10.30am–4.30pm A F 2–3.30pm A F Family History Day St Andrew's Church: John Gray Centre, Haddington Past, Present & Future Launching this year’s Archaeology & Local St Andrew’s Church, Kirk Ports, North Berwick History Fortnight, our theme this year is A look at the church, its history, and future World War One and East Lothian’s military plans for its preservation. Learn about some past. Join us for workshops on researching of the people commemorated on the ancestors who were in the armed services, gravestones. This event is provided by related talks, behind the scenes tours and North Berwick Historical Research Society. sessions on using our research resources, as well as children’s activities and storytelling, Booking required. Free event, donations to and a Star Speaker in the Star Room. the church restoration fund gratefully received. Free drop-in event, but booking required for workshops: Please call 01620 820 695 or email [email protected] Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information visit: www.johngraycentre.org/events

Sunday 31 August Tuesday 2 September

2–3pm A F 1–3pm A F Hailes Castle Man at Arms Trenches by Tranent Guided tour of Hailes Castle A circular walk between Tranent and Fa’side A Douglas Man at Arms and a Hepburn knight Castle taking in the locations of some will lead this guided tour of Hailes Castle. East Lothian WWI remains as well as other Hear horrible stories of the siege by Hotspur archaeological and historical sites, including Percy and Lord Dunbar, the counter assault prehistoric enclosures, restored towerhouses by the Douglases as well as the fall of the and a medieval mine! This walk affords some Hepburn family. extensive views which help put the remains Booking required. Free event. into their landscape context. It follows quiet There is limited parking at the Castle, but it roads and farm tracks which can be steep in is accessible by footpath along the river from places. It will be guided by a member of , a pleasant 1.5 miles walk, or from East Lothian Council Archaeology service. Pencraig Hill, about a 1 mile walk. Booking required. Cost: £4 Details provided on booking.

Cover: Hailes Castle, by AM Photography Inset image: Re-enactment of Cromwell’s seige of Tantallon, by Pauline King 3 Friday 5 September Saturday 6 September

10am–12noon 11am–1pm A Trenches by Tranent Aberlady Heritage: See Tuesday 2 September Talk and Guided Walk The Kirk Stables, Main Street, Aberlady Saturday 6 September Ian Malcolm of the local history society will give an illustrated talk on key elements of Aberlady's history, followed by a guided walk 9am–3.30pm A (weather permitting) to the remains of the medieval harbour and to the site of the now Hidden Histories Weekend: closed smugglers cave. If the weather is good, Medieval East Lothian and bring a packed lunch. the St Mary’s Church As some of the walk will be on a rocky and sometimes muddy foreshore, sensible footwear Haddington Project is recommended. The walk element is not St Mary’s Church, Haddington suitable for disabled. Booking required. Cost: £4

2–3pm A F Dirleton Castle Man at Arms Guided Tour of Dirleton Castle

A series of talks by experts and enthusiasts will give an insight into medieval life in East Lothian through recent archaeological work at important sites such as Haddington Abbey, Yester Castle, Auldhame, Garleton Castle, Eldbottle, the monastic estates, Flodden and the battles of East Lothian. An introduction will be given on the proposed project to examine and record both the structural evolution and history of St Mary’s Church, to better understand the complex Hear bloodthirsty stories of castle life and siege nature of the church and the times through warfare with the Monument Manager dressed which it survived. as a chain-mailed Man at Arms. Booking required. Cost £5 Booking required. Cost included in admission For more information visit: price to the Castle. For more information visit: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/archaeology www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

4 Sunday 7 September

12noon–4pm A F 1–4pm A F Arms at the Ready! Hidden Histories Weekend: Dirleton Castle Archaeology at Work St Mary’s Church, Haddington An afternoon giving you the chance to get hands on experience of techniques used in archaeology. These may include geophysical surveying, aerial kite photography, earthwork survey, gravestone recording, and more. There will also be guided tours of St Mary’s Church, its grounds and environs such as the Nungate Bridge and the Sands.

No booking required. Free, drop-in event. Step back to the 16th century and prepare to Children under 12 must be accompanied by defend the castle! Get hands on with the arms an adult. For more information visit: and armour of the time and try your hand www.eastlothian.gov.uk/archaeology with a bow. Brush up on your pike, sword and buckler skills with a Ruthven soldier and create your very own family shield to protect you in battle. Participants for archery must be age 7+ For more information visit: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk No booking required. Cost included in admission price to the Castle.

5 Monday 8 September Tuesday 9 September

Monday 8 – Wednesday 17 September 2–3.30pm A F St Andrew's Church: Session times: Morning 10am–12.30pm Afternoon 1.30–4pm Past, Present & Future The Dirleton Dig See Sunday 31 August Dirleton Green Carrying on from last year’s excavation of a 7pm A medieval building on the Green, the dig will explore the building further and try to find out The Mysterious Maritime more about the people who lived there and Pierced Stones of Sicar Rock, the history of Dirleton. The excavation is being Dunbar organised by Gullane and Dirleton History Society and East Lothian Council Archaeology Dunbar Town House Service. If you want to do some digging, book a place on one or more dig sessions, or just come along to watch and ask questions. Booking required for excavation sessions. Free. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

John McCarthy from Wessex Archaeology will give a talk on the stone anchors found on the sea bed near Dunbar. The talk looks at the ongoing survey by Wessex Archaeology's Coastal Marine section of the reported findspot of around six pierced stones which were found by local divers in 1998. The survey was commissioned by Historic Scotland and while no further anchors were uncovered, the suggestion is that there are still some on the sea bed. The anchors have interesting parallels with Mediterranean sites. The anchors are now in the East Lothian Museum Service collection and at least one will be on display in Dunbar Town House during the Fortnight. Booking required. Cost £4 (free to Dunbar and District History Society members)

6 Wednesday 10 September

11am–1pm A 2–3pm A Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield Walk Voices from the past: A guided walk, following the route of the exploring oral history advance of the Scottish army from its camp John Gray Centre, Haddington on the Esk to the site of its catastrophic defeat, between Inveresk and Wallyford. The walk will Come and listen to some of the experiences arrive at the Pinkie Cleugh Memorial Stone oral history collectors have had while recording at 1pm, for the annual commemoration people’s memories, and hear some favourite ceremony, conducted by the Old Musselburgh stories. You will also be able to book a time to Club. Most of the route is over level ground come and be interviewed for our oral history on pavements and paths, but also requires collection. climbing steep and somewhat irregular steps Please email [email protected] or call to Inveresk Church. This event is provided 01620 820 695 to be sure of a place. Free. by the Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield Group. Booking required. Cost £4 Thursday 11 September

7.30pm A Gods and Kings: Recent Archaeological work in East Lothian and the Borders Haddington Town House

1pm A Commemoration at Pinkie Cleugh Memorial Stone A talk by Andy Heald of AOC Archaeology Annual commemoration of the Battle of Group about interesting excavations and Pinkie Cleugh (1547) at the memorial stone community projects in East Lothian and (off Salter’s Road, Wallyford, at the A1 the Borders. junction). This event is arranged by the No booking required. Cost £4 Old Musselburgh Club. (free to Haddington History Society members) No booking required. Free.

7 Saturday 13 September

10am–4.30pm A F 12.30–3.30pm F Cousland Village History Trail Swords & shields at the ready! Cousland Village Hall, Cousland, off A6124, Prestongrange Museum East of Dalkeith It’s time to prepare for the Battle of Prestonpans! Using paintings, illustrations and the Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry as inspiration, children will decorate their own Jacobite sword and shield. Take them to the Battle of Prestonpans Re-enactment event the following weekend in Prestonpans, and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s favoured shield will win a prize! Drop-in event, no need to book. £5 per sword and shield set. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

The village of Cousland is rich in archaeological Saturday 13th–Sunday 14th A F history, stretching from the Iron Age right through to today. Repeating our very popular Archaeology@Amisfield 2014 tour from 2013 the self-guided trail is based at Amisfield Walled Garden Cousland Village Hall, a 1930's miners institute reflecting the long industrial past of the village, from where visitors can embark on a mapped tour of the most interesting sites in the village. There will be information points and guides at each of the locations. Take as long or as short a time as you like, enjoy the views, but remember to come back to the hall to see an exhibition by Cousland Local History Project, showing some of the finds from our Big Digs and have a cuppa or Come along if you want to excavate the some soup! remains of an 18th century Glasshouse, with Drop-in event. Free. a mysterious fruity past! Tours will be given Teas/ refreshments/ home baking/ local around the spectacular 8 acre walled garden produce/ WC/ Disabled WC. Disabled access to with tales of industry, murder, designed most sites, some assistance may be required. landscapes and pineapples. Entry is free, wear Visit: www.cousland.net appropriate clothing if you want to do some digging. Drop-in event. Free. Toilets and refreshments available. Parking outside the walled garden at the east side of Amisfield Park via Abbey Bridge. Visit: www.amisfield.org.uk event page.

8 Sunday 14 September Also in September

2–3.30pm A F Thurs 18–Mon 22 September 10am–4pm Battle of Prestonpans Talk Newhailes: A F Prestongrange Museum A Secret Garden Revealed

Join Arran Johnston to discover more about the Newhailes, Musselburgh Battle of Prestonpans. Find out more about the battle from both the Jacobites’ and Red Coats’ perspective, see what the former did right and the latter got wrong during this historic battle. Tickets include a hot drink and a cake. Cost £3.60 per person. As this event is expected to be busy, please book beforehand to guarantee a space. Book on 0131 653 2904 or email [email protected] The National Trust for Scotland estate of Newhailes in Musselburgh is best known for its stunning Neo-Palladian villa. But as well as the Also in September house, the surrounding gardens contain 300 years of Scottish history and landscape design. Woodland walks, a shell grotto and walled Wednesday 17 September 2–4pm A gardens tell the story of the life of the Dalrymple Voices from the past: family and the people who worked and lived on and around the estate for hundreds of years. recording oral histories Come and join the excavation and uncover the John Gray Centre hidden features of this stunning landscape. Free. Booking required to join the dig or just drop by and take a look!

Tuesday 23 September 2–3pm A Discover East Lothian’s Past (workshop): Local Heroes John Gray Centre Come and share your experiences of life in East Lothian with the Friends of the John Gray This month we are looking at ordinary people Centre, and be recorded for posterity! who became local heroes, such as George Stories of work, childhood, school, sport and Johnstone, who rescued miners trapped in leisure, or any other experiences, that are fading a flooded mine in Tranent. Bring your own or changing with modern life are all suitable stories about the brave people from your area topics. – maybe we can share them on our website! Free. Please email [email protected] Free. Booking required: call 01620 820 690 or call 01620 820 695 to be sure of a place. or email [email protected] Bring your library card to access free WiFi for the hands-on part of the workshop. 9 Trek through time on the John Muir Way

Saturday 27 September A F 10am–12.30/3pm Join Archaeology Scotland for an archaeologist-led sponsored walk We will be walking either 5 or 10 miles (your choice) from West Barns, Dunbar to East Linton (and back if you want) along the John Muir Way, taking in the WWI and WWII remains, an abandoned race course and golf course, visible agricultural improvements, sites of cist burials and roundhouses, the fabulous Preston Mill, historic Prestonkirk and more. Regular bus services can return you to West Barns or for those who want a longer walk the return route can include East Linton post-medieval village, Linn rocks, Doocot, a standing stone, a designed landscape and back to West Barns. Registration for the walk is £10 and we hope that each participant can raise around £50 to help us continue our valuable work.

For further details and to register please visit www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk or contact [email protected] or Dianne on 0845 872 3333.

Come and join Friends of the John Gray Centre SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE CENTRE More than just another history society, this friendly, lively group help staff with events, run their own events and work on projects in the museum and archives.There are also opportunities for fundraising towards larger purchases for the Centre. If you are interested and would like to be on our mailing list please email www.johngraycentre.org [email protected]

10 Exhibitions

Wild Prestongrange: Exhibitions Encounter the wildlife of Prestongrange Prestongrange Museum Tuesday 1 April - Tuesday 30 September Discover the animals, plants, flowers and mini-beasts that inhabit the Prestongrange site. Learn some surprising facts, hear natural sounds, and share your own sightings! Plus, go on our specially created walks to spot animals Coastal Ward 1914-1918 and plants in their natural habitats and try out Coastal Communities Museum activities for young children. Summer 2014 – June 2015 www.prestongrange.org An exhibition exploring the impact of World War One on the East Lothian coastal area: the We Will Remember Them: stories, the photos, the memories, and effect WW1 in Musselburgh on local families. A series of events for children and adults will accompany the exhibition. Musselburgh Museum There will also be opportunities to discover Thursday 8 August - Saturday 29 November more about the museum and how to support The story of World War One and how it its future development. affected the men, women and children of the www.coastalmuseum.org town of Musselburgh. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, a community-wide project will also take place alongside the Our War: East Lothian 1914-1918 exhibition to capture the stories and memories John Gray Centre of the town during the war. Saturday 17 May - Sunday 30 November www.musselburghmuseum.org.uk Explore East Lothian’s contribution to the campaigns of World War One in this exhibition Nature’s Beloved Son: to coincide with the centenary of the start of the war. It will include the experiences of the Rediscovering John Muir’s Botanical Legacy soldiers and local regiments that served John Muir’s Birthplace and Dunbar Town overseas, the efforts on the home front, House Museum & Gallery and the effects on the landscape and towns Saturday 28 June - Tuesday 30 September of East Lothian. www.johngraycentre.org Celebrating the fascinating structures, patterns and anatomies of the plant world through the eyes and words of John Muir. High-resolution A History of Dunbar images of Muir’s very own plant specimens, Town House drawings and journal notes are presented with Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery both living and preserved real plant specimens. Tuesday 1 April - Tuesday 30 September The exhibition includes hands-on activities for visitors and details of local John Muir Award Dunbar Town House was at the centre of projects. Spanning both venues, this is a Dunbar’s civic life for over 500 years. unique opportunity to see Muir’s American This display explores its role through objects botanical collection displayed for the first time and photographs connected to its long history. in Dunbar, the town that inspired his later life. Post up your own memories and enjoy a The exhibition is delivered in partnership with display of local contemporary art. Available the Royal Botanic Garden and is via a tour, please ask for details. a travelling exhibition from Exhibit Envoy www.eastlothianmuseums.org curated by Bonnie J. Gisel with photography by Stephen J. Joseph. www.jmbt.org 11 EVER WONDERED WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE AN ARCHAEOLOGIST? [email protected] If you’re aged 8 to 16, why not come along + find out!!

01875 819311 www.eastlothianyac.co.uk

East Lothian Council Archaeology Service John Muir House, Haddington, East Lothian EH41 4HA CS1318 614 3M 3M 614 CS1318 www.eastlothian.gov.uk/archaeology