East Lothian: Exploring a County
Fife, Malcolm
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East Lothian's scenery is both diverse and charming. Its coastline encompasses golden beaches punctuated by rugged cliffs and picturesque harbours. That iconic island, Bass Rock, lies a short distance offshore, a product of violent volcanic activity. In the south, we find the Lammermuir hills, remote and sparsely populated, yet only a short distance from Edinburgh. The environment is wildlife friendly, especially on the coast, which is home to numerous bird species. Bass Rock has the world's biggest colony of the impressive northern gannet. The Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick is a popular tourist attraction. Ancient civilisations are marked by standing stones and burial cairns; examples abound, on the Lammermuir hills and elsewhere. There are Iron Age hill-forts, the most impressive on Traprain Law. Located on a main route from England, it is not surprising many important castles were built, not least the magnificent redoubt of Tantallon. Decisive battles were fought here, including Athelstaneford in c.832; Scotland's flag, the St Andrew's cross, is said to date from that encounter. There are many historic buildings and artefacts. Whitekirk's holy well attracted thousands of pilgrims while two significant churches are extant: Seton collegiate and St Mary's, Haddington, the longest in the country. There are fine country houses, among them Gosford and Newhailes. Although with its fertile soil East Lothian is associated with farming it was also a major industrial centre. Coal was first mined by monks and used to boil sea water for salt production, while a former colliery is now home to Prestongrange industrial museum. The earliest railway in Scotland opened in 1722 to carry coal between Tranent and Cockenzie. More modern transport can be viewed at the Museum of Flight, East Fortune, including Concorde. Glenkinchie is one of the last lowland distilleries in the country. For the active, East Lothian has more than twenty golf courses, including world-famous Muirfield. Musselburgh has a charming racecourse. The climate is conducive to outdoor activities, with the area around Dunbar experiencing more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Scotland.
Main title:
Author:
Imprint:
Ayr : Fort Publishing, 2021.
Collation:
429 pages ; 23 cm
ISBN:
9781905769643
Dewey class:
914.136
Language:
English
Subject:
BRN:
3366875