What's on at the Brunton: Ed Byrne, Radio Gaga and Kathryn Williams
The Brunton continues to bring a rich and varied programme of entertainment to Corn Exchange Haddington.
The Brunton at the Corn Exchange is growing as a popular venue in the heart of the town, drawing audiences from across East Lothian. Recent visitors to the sold-out Fish event were impressed: “A vastly underused venue, as guid as any in Edinburgh, there needs to be more gigs here!”
Here’s what’s coming up in Haddington…
Radio Gaga is the ultimate celebration of one of the biggest bands to have ever graced the stage – Queen! This tribute recreates two magical hours live on stage, celebrating the magic, fun & showmanship of the band’s touring days.
Thursday 28 August 7:30pm
Radio Gaga
Des Dillon entertains and educates on the religious origins of Celtic-Ranger conflict. The hilarious yet powerful award-winning play, Singin' I'm No A Billy He's A Tim explores bigotry and ethnic identity on both a microcosmic and macrocosmic scale.
Saturday 27 September 7:30pm
Singin' I'm No A Billy, He's A Tim
Join Ed Byrne, star of Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week & Dara and Ed’s Great Big Adventure, as he headlines an unforgettable comedy show featuring three more top-tier comics. His razor-sharp wit and hilarious storytelling guarantee a side-splitting evening of jokes, banter, and fun.
Thursday 18 September 7:30pm
Ed Byrne and Friends
The Brunton’s next Haddstock collaboration concert features Mercury Music prize nominated Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand, who joined together to produce the beautiful album, Willson Williams, shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year Awards 2024. Support by Meursault and Battle of The Bands Winner Sixteen Again.
Saturday 4 October 7:30pm
Kathyrn Williams and Withered Hand
In Musselburgh, National Theatre Live returns to Loretto Theatre with Inter Alia. Oscar nominated Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) is Jessica in the much-anticipated next play from the team behind Prima Facia
Thursday 24 September 7pm
NT Live: Inter Alia
Visit www.thebrunton.co.uk for full listings of events in Musselburgh AND Haddington.
Book online 24 hours a day at www.thebrunton.co.uk or call our Box Office on Monday to Friday 11am to 3pm: 0131 653 5245.
Ed Byrne, Kathryn Williams and Withered Hand, and Radio Gaga will all be appearing at The Brunton at the Corn Exchange
East Lothian Walking Festival 2025
The fourth East Lothian Walking Festival starts on 29 August giving you the perfect opportunity to explore our beautiful county.
Here, the East Lothian Walking Festival team, offers a brief summary of some of the activities on offer:
- join a small group for a gentle stroll around some of our favourite places, Blooming Garden walk, Lost Haddington, and lots of health walks around the county🌻
- got more time? Pick from some of the festival's half-day walks, Forth to Farne, East Linton, Gullane, Pencaitland 🌳
- if you're seeking a more challenging all-day adventure Skills for the hills, Twin Peaks, Gifford, Vogrie to Glenkinchie and the new five day cross county challenge may be just what you're looking for ⛰️
- all abilities welcome at a walk in Butterdean Woods🐕🦺
- perhaps history is your thing? Explore Prestongrange museum, North Berwick, Prestonpans mural trail, Battle of Prestonpans, War comes to the Forth ⏳️
- being outdoors, connecting with nature, is hugely beneficial to our health. Check out the Road to Ruin, Hike and swim, John Muir sketch and wander, outdoor yoga 🧘♂️
- there are even events for young people only - NightTime Explorers Bat Detectors, mini expedition🦇and for families - Fisherrow, coastal walk 🐚
- want to try walking as a sport? Nordic walking taster sessions plus football, hockey and netball ⚽️
The festival's county-wide programme has something for everyone, all ages and abilities. Book your place now at www.walkfest.org.uk
All the walks and events are free of charge thanks to the support of our own Active Travel team, Community Windpower, Scottish Mountaineering Trust, Scottish Forestry and North Berwick Trust.
Happy walking!
East Lothian Archaeology & Heritage Fortnight 2025
This September the spotlight will be on East Lothian’s rich heritage, as East Lothian Archaeology & Heritage Fortnight will take place from 30 August to 14 September. This year the programme is bigger than ever, with more than 60 events taking place throughout the county for a chance for everyone to dig into the past.
The programme features talks, guided walks, excavations, re-enactments, exhibitions and workshops, or you can tune in to a series of online presentations.
Join in with archaeologists
The 1722 Waggonway Project are digging again this year. The team will be looking to answer further questions about Scotland’s earliest railway. 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, or just drop by to see the archaeologists at work.
Explore iconic historic buildings
Loretto: Pinkie House (image by Loretto School)
There will be a chance to explore some of East Lothian’s most iconic historic buildings, including guided tours of Lennoxlove House, Pinkie House and Loretto School Chapel, St Mary’s Church Haddington, and an open day at the newly conserved Preston Tower and Doocot. Or visit Preston Mill where the National Trust for Scotland will be shedding light on the work that goes on behind the scenes at the Trust in a series of talks.
Walks, talks and skills demonstrations
Pinkie Battle Walk by Angus Bathgate
There are a number of guided walks on offer exploring the history of Haddington, North Berwick, Musselburgh, Aberlady, Gullane and Drem Airfield in two world wars, or trace the events of the Battle of Prestonpans and the Battle of Pinkie. The focus will be on historic buildings at the Mini Traditional Skills Weekend at Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery with walk and talks, skill demonstrations, a live fresco painting workshop and more.
Presentations and what lies beneath
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. Discover the Roman archaeology of Inveresk at a Geophysical Survey open day at Lewisvale Park whilst Historic Environment Scotland find out what lies below the turf.
Find out more and book
There are lots of other events, so have a look at the programme and see what’s on offer. 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
Did you know? 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
Staff golf competition: enter now
The East Lothian Staff Golf Competition is back for 2025!
All golfers are invited to enter the competition, which is only open to council colleagues, and which will take place as follows:
- venue: Musselburgh Old Golf Club (Racecourse)
- date: Friday 29 August
- time: times start at 1pm until approximately 2:15pm
- Format: Individual stableford played over 18 holes (18 handicap maximum unless a player has an official CONGU handicap higher than 18)
The cost of the event is £5 per person which includes your round of golf and prizes payable on the day.
The deadline for entries is Friday 22 August. After this date, confirmation of the draw will be sent out.
This year the top five placed players will qualify to play in the Musselburgh Corporation Medal which takes place at the end of September.
For further information and to enter, please contact Gwen Stewart, gstewart@eastlothian.gov.uk with the following information:
Name
Council department
Handicap
Home Club (if applicable)