A Christmas message from Provost John McMillan

2025 has been another year when I have felt very privileged, as Provost, to meet individuals and groups who make a real difference in our communities across East Lothian and that very much includes our fantastic teams here at East Lothian Council.

There has been so much positive work in East Lothian over the last year that it’s impossible to mention all the contributions from those who have been involved in projects as diverse as installing life-saving defibrillators and running food provision services such as East Lothian Foodbank, to keeping our towns and villages beautiful via In Bloom Groups, to gala days, festivals and celebrations. I know that many of our council teams support all of this fantastic work and that it is much appreciated.

The 2025 Remembrance services across the county were particularly poignant as they marked 80 years since the end of World War Two. I was delighted to open a special Garden of Remembrance at St Mary’s Pleasance in Haddington and to attend a special breakfast bringing together veterans and Army Cadets.

Another highlight for me was attending a service at Athelstaneford on St Andrew’s Day and I congratulate the Scottish Flag Trust on their plans to have a new monument installed at the birthplace of the Saltire, which is an international symbol of welcome - so appropriate for East Lothian.

Innovation is another way we can support our communities and there have been a number of steps forward this year in growing our local economy, not least the opening of the Edinburgh Innovation Hub, a joint venture between our council and Queen Margaret University, which has just welcomed its first tenant.

All of these efforts contribute to building welcoming, resilient communities and providing the very best environment for our children and young people to learn and grow.

Your hard work this year has supported our local residents - building welcoming, resilient communities and providing the very best environment for our children and young people to learn and grow. Each and every one of you has made a difference. Our inaugural Inspire Awards this year gave just a small overview of some of the amazing work and dedication shown by all of you.

These are challenging times in terms of financial pressures for all of us and it has been truly inspiring to see the dedication shown by everyone in embracing working differently and with innovation to meet the diverse needs of our residents.

However you choose to celebrate over Christmas and New Year, I send you my best wishes and hope that you can enjoy this special time of year with those around you. Of course, many of you will be working over the festivities, keeping our essential services running. I extend special thanks to you all. Wishing everyone the very best for 2026.

Councillor John McMillan
East Lothian Provost