Chief Executive, Laurence Rockey

Publishing the July edition of Inform surely means that summer is well and truly here - even if the weather is proving to be a bit mixed to say the least!

It has definitely been a busy period in recent weeks and months, with lots of important council business, meetings and engagements - some of which I’ve highlighted in my weekly vlog. I was also pleased to complete my tour of all East Lothian schools. I hope that as many colleagues as possible have the opportunity to enjoy a well-earned break over the summer and spend some quality time with family and friends. Of course, the school session has come to an end for another year and I would like to thank all our teachers and education employees for their hard work, dedication and commitment throughout what was undoubtedly a busy academic year. I know how hard everyone works for the benefit of children and young people across East Lothian every day.

While many of us will be looking forward to some rest, it’s important to recognise that the work of the council continues throughout the summer months. I would like to thank the many colleagues whose work becomes particularly busy at this time of year. For example, our Countryside Rangers play an important role in helping residents and visitors enjoy East Lothian's wonderful natural environment responsibly during the peak summer season. Facilities Management staff work tirelessly to ensure public conveniences remain clean, safe and welcoming for everyone using them. And more widely across the organisation, many frontline teams continue to provide essential services day in, day out  - including caring for and supporting some of the most vulnerable in our communities with compassion and professionalism.

As one of the best places in Scotland for things to see and do, there is plenty happening across East Lothian this summer and we look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far for major events such as the upcoming Genesis Scottish Open and Fringe by the Sea, both of which bring significant benefits to our communities and local economy. The council is proud to play its part in helping many of these events and activities take place.

As well as featuring news and features from around the organisation, this edition of Inform highlights some of the fantastic cultural opportunities available across the county. These include the exhibition of formative and lesser-known works by John Bellany, alongside a range of other fascinating exhibitions in our local museums. Our libraries are also hosting a music-themed Summer Reading Challenge, offering young people a fun and engaging way to keep reading during the holidays.

Like many of you, I was disappointed to see Scotland's World Cup journey come to an end. However, the Tartan Army once again did themselves proud in the United States, providing wonderful support for the national team and representing Scotland with enthusiasm and good humour. I hope the rest of the tournament brings plenty of memorable moments and exciting matches!

The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is also coming into view. As part of the Scottish Government's Summer of Sport initiative, everyone aged 26 and under can enjoy free swimming at East Lothian pools throughout the summer - a great opportunity to get active, have fun and make the most of the facilities available across the county.

Whatever your plans over the coming weeks - whether you're taking time off, going further afield, attending local events, spending time outdoors or continuing to deliver services for our communities - I hope you have a safe, enjoyable and relaxing summer.

Laurence

Construction works start on larger nurseries for two schools

Construction work has started at two of our primary schools to create larger nurseries that can offer more early learning and childcare places.

Aberlady Primary School

A year-long extension project at Aberlady Primary School will create a nursery to primary 2 hub and a new nursery garden. Internal alterations will also see the school have a full production kitchen allowing hot meals to be prepared on site rather than transported from Gullane Primary as currently happens.

In advance of works beginning, the school’s nursery has moved into a temporary unit within the grounds, previously home to primary 7. Early years capacity will double in August from 20 to 40 spaces across two temporary units. The children will move into the extension.

Following a competitive tender process, Henry Brothers was awarded a contract worth over £3.96m. A strip of the neighbouring pitches will be fenced off for the duration of the project for a ‘haul road’ and contractors compound before begin fully restored once construction is complete.

Longniddry Primary School 

Meanwhile Wallyford-based RP Slight and Sons will carry out alterations at Longniddry Primary School to expand the nursery for this August.

A refurbishment of existing rooms within the school will create a larger centre for early learning and childcare increasing capacity from 30 spaces to 64. The first phase of works to remove partition walls and refurbish toilet facilities has already taken place and additional upgrades to kitchen areas, walls, flooring and the external garden play space will also be carried out.

Nursery children have been temporarily moved to a different area at the opposite end of the school building while works are completed and will return to their new space in August.

S1: here they come!

Almost 200 primary seven pupils from the Fa’side area attended a two-day event at Meadowmill to have fun and make new friends ahead of their move to Ross High School in August.

Our Fa’side Connected Communities team held the first transitions event in 2022 as a way to help children make the move to secondary school post-pandemic. Successful feedback from everyone led to it becoming an annual fixture.

Activity and resilience

All young people were sorted into mixed groups at the beginning of the day so they could meet their peers from other schools before enjoying seven different sessions focused on activity and resilience. Our Arts Service held a dance class while East Lothian Orienteering ran an introduction to the sport. Active Schools Future Leaders, a group of senior pupil volunteers, led basketball and football while Ross High and our libraries teams worked together to create a team building session.

Ross High’s Mental Health Youth Worker Gemma Burns focused on resilience while Recharge was also on hand.

The event was free of charge with ASDA Tranent donating water and fruit to keep everyone energised and Enjoyleisure allowing the use of Meadowmill.

Feedback on the day was positive with young people reporting reduced anxiety about the move to high school and having made new friends with their soon to be school mates prior to the holidays.

'Real collaborative working' 

Our Connected Communities Team Manager Andy Cheshire said: “The transitions event is now a mainstay of our team’s annual calendar. It demonstrates real collaborative working and has clear benefits helping young people feel more confident about their move from primary to secondary school.

"A huge thank you to all partners, young people, schools and of course our wee team in Fa’side that pull all this together annually. It was really uplifting to see some of the young people who benefitted from this event four years ago make a return to deliver the basketball and football sessions as ‘future leaders’ with the Active Schools team and hopefully this can continue year on year as well.”

Wishing all our P7s a successful start to S1.

Consultation launched on a draft Visitor Levy for East Lothian

The consultation on a draft Visitor Levy Scheme for East Lothian is now underway, after councillors unanimously gave the go ahead at the Council meeting on Tuesday 23 June. 

The draft scheme has been prepared following a process of evidence gathering, stakeholder engagement and financial analysis. A 12-week statutory consultation has now been launched, including an online survey open to everyone alongside direct engagement with accommodation providers, businesses, community representatives and others with an interest in East Lothian's visitor economy.

The consultation invites views on all aspects of the Draft Visitor Levy Scheme, including its purpose and objectives, levy design, exemptions, governance arrangements and the proposed use of net proceeds. Alongside the consultation, we will continue to refine our evidence base, including further economic modelling and appraisal, before a final report is presented to Council later this year. 

A visitor levy is a charge applied to overnight stays in paid accommodation, paid by visitors and collected by accommodation providers, with proceeds ring fenced for tourism related purposes.

The draft East Lothian levy currently proposes a five per cent charge on top of accommodation costs, which would be collected by accommodation providers via a nationally managed digital portal. This means that a one-night stay costing £100 would incur a Visitor Levy of £5 or a one-night stay costing £60 would incur a Visitor Levy of £3. The levy would apply to the accommodation charge only and would not apply to charges for meals, drinks, parking or other services. 

The charge would apply to hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, self-catering accommodation (including short term lets), hostels and paid camping and caravanning accommodation located within East Lothian. The current proposal is that accommodation providers would retain two per cent of the levy collected to contribute towards their administration costs. It is estimated that the scheme would generate approximately £1.2 million per year to be spent on facilities mainly used by visitors.

National legislation requires a minimum implementation period of 18 months before a scheme could be introduced, meaning any levy would not commence before spring 2028, if approved by Council at a meeting later this year.

The survey is now open on the East Lothian Consultation Hub with direct engagement work with stakeholders to follow.

Read the full story here

Athelstaneford community spearheads playpark renewal

Members of the community recently gathered to celebrate the renewal of a children’s playpark in Athelstaneford.

The play area in the village park, which is owned and managed by the council, has been transformed by the installation of a range of challenging, exciting, and inclusive new play equipment for different ages and abilities.

Councillor Colin McGinn joined youngsters from the local nursery and Athelstaneford Primary School to mark the successful completion of the work.

Representatives from the Athelstaneford Community Group, who led the project, and colleagues in Amenity Services, who worked in partnership with the group’s volunteers, also attended the event.

The playpark renewal - which was spearheaded by the local community, received £39,825 in funding from the FCC Communities Foundation and £37,025 from our Community Intervention Fund.

In addition, our Roads Services team recently installed a new raised table crossing and access gate into the park at the Mansefield junction in response to concerns about vehicle speeds and a new path along a field edge which improved access while creating a traffic-free route for school pupils walking to the park for PE lessons. The £60,000 cost of these elements was covered by Transport Scotland via the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund.

The Athelstaneford Community Group was formed to bring forward initiatives in the village such as the regeneration of the park. Its volunteers developed a community-led masterplan for the park, identified the renewal of the children’s play area as a priority and secured funding for the delivery of the new playpark.

The new equipment includes a climbing frame with a rope bridge and slides, a cableway (flying fox), a wheelchair accessible roundabout, a ‘nest’ swing, and a bespoke Athelstaneford ‘village shop’ play panel.

Along with the funding from the FCC Communities Foundation and the council, the project could not have proceeded without contributions from Haddington and District Community Council, Caz’s Kiddies in the Country Nursery, and generous donations from members of the community.

Plague document from our archives on display in St Andrews this summer

Love East Lothian summer socials campaign

Look out for a summer social media campaign encouraging East Lothian residents and visitors to Eat, Stay, Play and Shop Local in East Lothian during July and August. 

We know it'll be a busy time of year with the school holidays now underway and events in East Lothian including the Genesis Scottish Open and Fringe by the Sea always attracting huge crowds.

We want to help support our high streets and local businesses both during these busier times and beyond by encouraging people to explore more of what's on offer right here in East Lothian rather than going further afield. It's a great time to visit an old favourite place and re-visit that great local business you've maybe not been to for a while - and discover some new ones along the way!

Along with Visit East Lothian, our Destination Marketing & Management Organisation (DMMO), which is run by our Economic Development team, we will be putting out targeted posts on Visit East Lothian and East Lothian Council social media channels, mainly Facebook and Instagram, but look out on LinkedIn and X as well - using Love Local and Love East Lothian branding and the hashtags #LoveEastLothian #LoveLocal #ShopLocal

Alongside the social campaign, Visit East Lothian has teamed up with Bauer Media on their Schools Out for Summer campaign across Bauer Radio (Tay, Forth and Clyde). Listen out for information on East Lothian and watch out for it on their digital channels too. There's even a chance to win a Visit East Lothian prize bundle including a family pass for Newhailes House, including two children’s passes for Weehailes, a £100 voucher for Foxlake Adventures and a £50 voucher for Archerfield Walled Garden.

Genesis Scottish Open 2026 traffic and travel

The Genesis Scottish Open golf tournament returns to the Renaissance Club, near Dirleton, for the eighth consecutive year, with up to 85,000 visitors expected to flock here from Wednesday 8 to Sunday 12 July.

Each year, we work with event organisers DP World Tour and Police Scotland on a Transport Management Plan to help minimise the impact on residents and businesses and encourage as many visitors to the golf as possible to use public transport options. Community councils and local residents have also been kept informed.   

The main change to last year is a new, non-golf traffic suggested alternative route westbound from North Berwick off the A198 at Station Road and eastbound from Gullane off the A198 at Fentoun Gait. We would urge anybody not coming to park at Muirfield Fields to use this diversion to allow the A198 to remain for just golf traffic. 

As in previous years, there will be temporary changes to the parking, waiting, loading and unloading restrictions in Aberlady, Longniddry and Dirleton, with these restrictions being in place from 6am on Wednesday 8 July until 11pm on Sunday 12 July. A temporary 30mph speed limit will also be in place along a section of the A198 close to the entrance to Archerfield Estate. 

Ticket holders will be advised to use service buses between North Berwick and Edinburgh as well as the Edinburgh to Longniddry train service. A free courtesy bus service will operate between Longniddry railway station and the event public car park. For local visitors to the event, it may be useful to note that the Prentice 122 bus service now runs between Haddington and North Berwick via Gullane, Monday to Saturday. 

Those driving to the event will be directed from the A1 at Haddington before heading eastbound at the Ballencrieff Roundabout, along the A1377 via Drem. This means the majority of traffic will be ushered away from the A198 coast road which will remain open at all times, but delays and congestion may be experienced during the event, particularly in the expected peak travel periods. 

The event public car park is free and is immediately to the east of Gullane, at ‘Muirfield fields’ on the north side of the A198. 

Traffic restrictions include: 

• there will be no parking, loading or unloading on the B1377 at Longniddry (past the train station) and part of Main Road (B1345) and Manse Road in Dirleton
• 20mph speed limits will be in place on the B1377 at Longniddry and 30mph limits on part of the A198 at Dirleton
• parking will be suspended on the north side of the High Street (A198) in Aberlady

Businesses on the estate, including Archerfield Walled Garden, will be open and accessible as well as maintained access to residential properties.

Full details of the restrictions are on the Tell Me Scotland website. 

Full event details are on the DP World Tour website.

Museums - what's on this July

Our museums are free to visit and open for the summer season through until the end of September. Look out for our exciting new exhibitions, events and drop-in activities for families.

Exhibitions

The art of balance in nature

Selected works as part of the 10th European Land Art Festival and Stone Stacking Championships 2026.

Sunday 28 June to Sunday 16 August  

Open Wednesday to Sunday 1 to 5pm. Free admission.

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER

Landmark exhibition at John Gray Centre
John Bellany HRSA

Internationally renowned artist John Bellany HRSA, born in Port Seton, painted large scale, distinctive and often deeply personal works exploring themes including East Lothian’s fishing communities.

Curated by John’s wife Helen Bellany and his lifelong friend Alexander Moffat RSA, the exhibition combines works on loan from the Royal Scottish Academy with private collections and works held by East Lothian Council. It includes large and rarely seen work.

This exhibition is part of the RSA200: Celebrating Together partnership project. Throughout 2026 the Royal Scottish Academy, the oldest artist-run institution in Scotland, is celebrating its 200th birthday.

Friday 17 April to Saturday 19 September

Open Thursday and Friday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Free admission.

John Gray Centre - Museum, 15 Lodge Street, Haddington, EH41 3DX.

Place-names of East Lothian: A journey through time

Dunbar?  Lamer Street?  Friarscroft?

What does it mean?

Where did the name come from?

Dunbar and District History Society’s latest exhibition is based on the online publication, ‘Placenames of East Lothian: A journey through time’, researched by History Society member Liz Curtis. The exhibition presents a selection of names and their meaning from North Berwick to Dunglass and is supported by artefacts and historical images.

As Liz explains: “over thousands of years, a succession of different peoples arrived in East Lothian, mostly seeking the excellent agricultural land. They spoke different languages - Brittonic, Old English, Old Norse (Scandinavian), Gaelic, and Norman French. Then Scots developed locally, based on Old English. Each group named the land in their own way. They adopted the placenames of their predecessors or adapted them or created new names. As a result, East Lothian has a wonderfully varied collection of placenames, which illuminate our history.”

For the full version of the online publication visit the Scottish Place-Name Society’s website.

Opening 26 June courtesy of Dunbar and District History Society.

Open Wednesday to Sunday 1pm to 5pm.

Free admission.

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER

Haven

Pop into Prestongrange to see an inspiring display of jewellery by designer/maker, Eleanor Symms, who uses reclaimed materials to create her work. In the summer of 2024 Eleanor worked on a project at Morrisons Haven where she gathered waste and organic materials. Her aim is to learn more about ways to use and combine organic and other waste materials and explore how to make wearable, ornamental pieces, prototypes that could be disassembled, reassembled or returned to nature.

Prestongrange Museum, Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX.

Wednesday – Sunday 11am – 4.30pm through until the end of September

Coastal Communities Museum

Come and visit our fascinating local museum located in the seaside town of North Berwick. We’re run entirely by enthusiastic volunteers, and our aim is to enable locals and visitors to explore the culture and heritage of the coastal communities that make up East Lothian’s North Berwick coastal ward.

Agricultural life is an important part of the Coastal Ward in East Lothian, and we are showcasing a new display of farm implements from the past including seed broadcasters, sheep shears, a hand plough and even a ‘foster mother.’ Come along and find out more about this curiously named device! These tools offer a fascinating glimpse into the working lives and rural traditions that helped shape our local community.

This year’s Collectors’ Corner will showcase a charming and unusual collection of old button hooks. Among them are several examples of ‘trench art’ —objects transformed with creativity and care, each with its own story to tell.

In the Children’s Area, our much-loved (and very well-worn!) pirate costumes have been topped up, ready for another season of imaginative adventures on Treasure Island. We’ve also restocked the ever-popular colouring postcards. After running low at the end of last season we’re pleased to say that crabs, puffins, and stags are once again back on the shelves. Our popular rope tying display is back for another year – master the art of nautical knots and discover the difference between a Bowline and a Sheet Bend.

Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm. Free admission.

Coastal Communities Museum School Road, North Berwick, EH39 4JU.

Echoes of the past

Do you remember Musselburgh in the 1950s through to the 90s?? If so, come to the exhibition to be reminded and tell us more of what it was like then for you. If you are  ‘younger’ then do come along and see what it was like for your parents and grandparents.

Thursday to Saturday 10.30am to 4pm. Admission free.

Musselburgh Museum, 65 High St, Musselburgh EH21 7BZ.

Events and activities

Summer Holidays

Our museums all have free admission and have drop-in craft activities for families during the summer holidays.

Coalscapes Family Event 6

Prestongrange Museum, East Lothian

By The Eco-Museum of Scottish Mining Landscapes

A free family event exploring the geology, ecology and landscape of the Prestongrange Museum site.

Join us for a free walk, talk and outdoor art workshop exploring the geology, ecology and landscape at the site of Prestongrange Museum and the foreshore of Morrison’s Haven.

Scottish Mining Landscapes’ geologist, Katie Strang; ecologist, Matt Harding; and artist Yvonne Weighand Lyle for the sixth of eight events across the Scottish Midland Coalfield from Fife to Ayrshire in July. Combining rocks, fossils, plant and art (cyanotype printing and clay pressing) that turn former mining landscapes into places of family fun designed for intergenerational learning.

11am ecology treasure hunt in the grounds of the Museum hosted by Matt.

Guided walk/rock doctor session leaving the grounds of the museum and over to the foreshore hosted by Katie.

Timings will be confirmed on the day and are weather dependent.

Art workshop

Please note you can drop in and out of the activities that suit.

The museum will be open and there is a café and toilets - so why not make a day of it?

This free event is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Please note this event is an outdoors activity. Please consider your own mobility and dress for the weather/terrain. The event will be photographed.

Reserve your free places through eventbrite

Wee Weds

Wednesday mornings at Prestongrange Museum. Bookbug for 0-5s and their parents/carers.

10 to 10.30am, no charge. Followed by craft activity, £1 per child.

Prestongrange Museum, Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX.

(use images Wee Wednesdays Poster.jpeg)

Our museums:

John Gray Centre (Museum)

15 Lodge Street, Haddington, EH41 3DX
Thursday and Friday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm

John Muir's Birthplace

126 High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1JJ
Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 1pm to 5pm

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery

High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1ER
Wednesday to Sunday 1pm to 5pm

Prestongrange Museum

Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX
Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 4.30pm

Coastal Communities Museum

School Road, North Berwick, EH39 4JU
Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm

Musselburgh Museum

65 High St, Musselburgh EH21 7BZ
Thursday to Saturday 10.30am to 4pm

What's on at The Brunton

The Brunton Performing Arts Network is back this summer with two exciting musical extravaganzas.

In July, dive under the sea with Disney’s Finding Nemo KIDS, a 30-minute musical adaptation of the beloved Pixar film.

Tickets will be on sale soon.

With iconic music, slick choreography and serious attitude, Chicago Teen Edition is fast, fearless and full of edge. This talented community cast is supported by a professional production team.

Chicago Teen Edition, Thursday 6 August to Saturday 8 August, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Corn Exchange, Haddington

Big Summer Sketch 2026

Big Summer Sketch 2026 invites everyone to get creative, start sketching and have fun. East Lothian has a thriving arts scene, with many artists and craft makers choosing to live and work in the county. As part of its Summer Arts Programme, our Arts Service is inviting budding artists to showcase their skills. The theme for 2026 is Design Your Dream Theatre.

Entries are not limited to sketches. Other art forms, including paintings, collages and models, are welcome. All entries will be featured on the Arts Service social media pages. Ten winning entries will receive an art goodie bag.

Get creative at home or visit your local library, where resources will be available. You can give entries to library staff. Please submit photographs of models and collages where needed. You can also email a copy of your creation to: communityarts@eastlothian.gov.uk.

Please include your name, age and phone number.

The Big Summer Sketch is open to all ages and runs from 24 June to 22 August.

Rare opportunity to see conservation work on John Bellany painting

As part of the current exhibition of formative and lesser-known works by renowned Scottish artist John Bellany HRSA, on display in Haddington, visitors now have the chance to see live conservation work taking place on one of his paintings. 

The Harvester is a highlight of the exhibition - an exceptional work that departs from Bellany’s typical style. Once displayed at the now demolished Chesser House in Edinburgh, the painting later hung in a stairwell at Brunton Hall, Musselburgh. 

After years out of public view, the painting has been displayed in the exhibition but it looks a little unusual because it requires conservation. To start this process, the artwork has been removed from its frame and covered in a protective layer to prevent paint loss. 

Visitors will be able to watch live conservation work in the gallery as professional conservator Owen Davison (The Conservation Studio, Edinburgh) begins essential treatment. 

This work will include:

•           stabilising fragile and damaged paint layers

•           carefully cleaning the surface

•           repairing and retouching areas of loss and damage

•           restoring and refitting the original frame

The first two live conservation days, Thursday 9 and Thursday 23 July, will allow visitors to meet the conservator, ask questions and gain insight into the fascinating process of preserving artworks. Look out for more dates being announced over the summer.

Our Museums Service is currently fundraising to complete this vital conservation work. Thanks to generous donations and internal funding, the first three days of treatment are secured, but further support is needed. 

Visitors who wish to contribute can donate at the museum desk and play a part in restoring this important painting for future generations.

Full details are on our website.  

Turn up the volume on reading this summer with East Lothian Libraries

Celebrate stories, imagination and the wonders of music in our Libraries this summer with the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat. 

On now, The Reading Agency’s annual Summer Reading Challenge encourages children ages 0-11 to read for fun. 

As part of the National Year of Reading and East Lothian Reads, we’re encouraging families to make reading part of their summer adventures. Children can sign up at any East Lothian Library, set their reading goals and enjoy rewards along the way! Expect a new and exciting East Lothian Reads: Music collection for all ages, plus lots of free magical and musical events in all our library branches.

Dunbar Story Trail

With support from The Reading Agency and the Julia Rausing Trust, Dunbar Library is hosting a special Summer Reading Challenge story trail, in partnership with The Cove at Dunbar Primary School. Keep an eye out for stories scattered around the Dunbar community!

Lang Lang Piano Foundation

Tranent and North Berwick Libraries have been gifted two pianos from Lang Lang Piano Foundation. Come drop in and have a wee play!

New for this summer – a Reading Challenge just for adults

While children enjoy Read to the Beat, staff and residents can now take part in Read to Retreat – a relaxed, flexible reading challenge designed to help you unwind, discover something new and make time to read. Pop into your local library to pick up your challenge and get started – you can take it at your own pace, with rewards along the way.

 We can’t wait to see you this summer in East Lothian Libraries. For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, visit the website or pop into your local library.

Collections corner – news from the museum collection

Welcome to this behind-the-scenes glimpse into our rich and growing museum collection.

While many of you are familiar with our four museums, you may not know that we also care for a substantial collection of objects. This collection supports our exhibitions and allows us to lend items to partners far and wide, helping to share East Lothian’s heritage beyond our own walls.

New additions to the collection

We’re pleased to share news of several recent acquisitions.

Most recently, we welcomed a rural autumnal oil painting by the late East Linton artist Robert Noble. The work has now been formally accessioned into the collection as HADDM2026.8. It is currently on display in East Linton Library.

A framed photograph of Robert Noble painting The Old Castle Orchard, Longniddry has also been moved to East Linton Library. Together, these works tell more of the artist’s story and his connection to the local landscape. The painting The Old Castle Orchard is currently on display in the ground floor stairwell at John Muir House.

A fascinating historical donation

We have also received a significant donation from the now-defunct Order of the Eastern Star, Dunbar Lodge, a former women-only Masonic organisation. The donation includes a range of items, including a large ceremonial rug.

Due to the size and complexity of the donation, the team is currently cataloguing and accessioning each item. It is a valuable addition that provides new opportunities for research, interpretation and future displays.

A glimpse into working life

Another recent addition offers a personal connection to East Lothian’s industrial past: a miner’s porridge bowl used at Prestongrange Mine. Simple yet evocative, objects like this help bring everyday working lives into sharper focus and enrich the stories we can tell about our communities.

The bigger picture

The museum collection now contains more than 14,000 objects, ranging from archaeological finds and costumes to fine art. We also have thousands more items awaiting accession, highlighting both the scale of our work and the continued generosity of donors.

Explore the collection

Did you know you can browse parts of the collection online? Visit our website:

www.johngraycentre.org

It’s a great way to discover the stories behind the objects, and more items are being added regularly.

Look out for future editions of Collections Corner as we continue to share highlights, discoveries and the ongoing work of caring for East Lothian’s heritage.

Love Tranent photo competition

Why not take part in The Fraser Centre's summer photography competition? Simply use your phone to take a photograph of nature in and around Tranent and send it to lovetranent2026@gmail.com.

The Wee Green Festival

Wednesday 5 August 2026, 1pm to 3.30pm

Come to the Fraser Centre, Tranent for:

Stalls, activities, live music, ChoosePlay, art, storytelling, bike rides and more

Visit the website or follow us on social media to see the full programme of activities and stallholders.

The Fraser Centre
3a Winton Place
Tranent

www.thefrasercentre.com

Dave reflects on long career of dedicated public service

After an impressive career spanning almost 48 years, Dave Henderson - our Team Manager for Road Operations - is about to step into retirement.

Dave’s career journey began in 1978 when he joined George Wimpey & Co as a trainee site engineer, choosing a hands-on career outdoors over an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering. “I wanted to work outside rather than in a factory,” he recalls. It was a decision that set the tone for a varied and fulfilling professional life.

His first assignment, the A71 East Calder bypass, proved memorable for more than one reason. “I almost took my finger off within the first week hammering steel pins,” Dave says, reflecting on the steep learning curve of his early days. Despite this, he thrived under Wimpey’s extensive training culture, learning key skills such as levelling, setting out and land surveying. 

Over the following years, Dave worked across Scotland on a range of major projects, including developments at Edinburgh Airport and roles within design and surveying teams. In 1988, he moved to Morrison Construction as a Senior Engineer, where he contributed to projects such as the Dunblane Hydro extension, Barony Castle refurbishment, housing developments in Dundee, and a retail park in Glasgow. While he enjoyed the diversity of work, it was an extremely demanding role with long hours.

Dave’s move into the public sector came in February 1989 when he joined Lothian Regional Council’s INROADS department as a Measurement Engineer. From there, he progressed into programming and planning, helping to shape workstreams during a period of significant organisational change when the region split into four councils in 1996.

“I was asked where I would like to work, and being from Edinburgh my first choice was Edinburgh followed by East Lothian,” he says. “I am happy that I have achieved both choices and I have loved working in East Lothian as it is such a lovely location.” He fondly recalls the simple pleasures of the job too. “I do like driving to work when the sun is coming up in the East in the summer months, though not so much in the winter at 4.30am for gritting!”

In September 2016, Dave joined East Lothian Council, working within Road Services under Alan Stubbs. What he initially expected to be a five-year stint soon extended into nearly a decade. “I have enjoyed things so much I have stayed a bit longer,” he says.

Leadership

Dave takes particular pride in developing others and being a supportive leader. “I really enjoy working for the roads team and hope that I have brought some of my expertise and man management skills,” he explains. “I do encourage staff to take any training offered to develop themselves. It is time for me to pass things on to a younger team who I am sure will be successful.”

Throughout his career, Dave emphasised the importance of mutual respect. “I have met lots of different characters over my career, and I have found if you speak to people with respect you normally get respect back. Be fair but firm in what you want,” he reflects.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dave has led a remarkably active and fulfilling life outside work. A keen runner since 1982, he has completed nine marathons, around 80 half marathons and numerous other races. His personal bests - 2 hours 51 minutes for the marathon, 1 hour 19 minutes for the half, and 35 minutes for 10K- reflect his commitment. Since 1992, he has also coached endurance athletes at Corstorphine Athletic Club. “I take great pleasure when my athletes have PBs ( personal bests )  and they say it’s down to the coaching and the club atmosphere,” he explains.

Family has always remained central to Dave’s life, and he counts his proudest moments as those when his children - Allana, Sarah and Rory - graduated from university. “I am a proud dad,” he says.

New chapter

As he looks ahead to retirement, Dave admits it will take some adjustment. “I am not sure what it will be like to be retired as I have never done it before!” he jokes. But his plans suggest a full and active new chapter. He is looking forward to spending time with his wife Lorna, tending to their garden and allotment, walking their dog Troon, and helping care for his grandchildren, Maisie and Alfie.

There will also be more time for golf at Turnhouse, where he hopes to lower his handicap to single figures as well as continued involvement in running and coaching. A golf trip to Turkey is already on the calendar, alongside a list of home improvement projects.

Reflecting on his long career, Dave speaks positively of all his employers, including East Lothian Council. As he hands over responsibility to the next generation, his legacy is one of professionalism, mentorship, and a genuine love for the work.  I will miss the buzz of Road Services dealing with different situations as they occur.  

Alan Stubbs, Service Manager for Roads, said:

“Dave has worked closely with colleagues across many services, earning widespread respect for his professionalism, knowledge, and commitment. He has played a vital role in leading the management , development, and coordination of frontline staff across a wide range of activities and has also been involved in supporting major events as well as local community events.

“He has also played a key role in managing winter maintenance and responding to severe weather events and road emergencies across East Lothian Council. He has consistently worked long hours in challenging severe weather conditions, night shifts, and over many public holiday periods. Together with his colleagues, Dave has been a constant presence, working tirelessly to ensure that our roads and public spaces remain safe and accessible. His dedication to public safety has been unwavering, often requiring significant personal sacrifice. Much of this work goes unseen, but without Dave and his team, the county would quickly come to a standstill. His commitment and professionalism are very much appreciated, and he will be greatly missed by his colleagues in Road Services and across the council.

“We thank him for his years of dedicated service and wish him a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement.”

Top class! Finance colleagues celebrate success

A Ranger writes - the colourful, but toxic cinnabar moth

Survival is a big deal for animals, if you don’t mind me stating the obvious. Threats come in various forms – not least the presence of predators. So how best to avoid things that might see you as lunch? Some species will take the approach of using camouflage – if a predator can’t see you, it can’t eat you. Others might have some form of physical defence, such as a hard shell or exoskeleton.

One method adopted by several invertebrate species is to use their markings and colouration as deterrents against predation. Peacock butterflies feature large colourful circular patterns on their wings, which resemble eyes. These are thought to confuse and intimidate the butterfly’s predators, mostly small birds such as blue tits, allowing the peacock the chance to escape.

Some species have a seemingly counter-intuitive approach, adopting bright colours, often in a combination of yellow, red and black. Whilst this makes the individual fairly easy to spot, it acts as a warning to predators that it has some form of built in defence (think bees and wasps, equipped as they are with stings). The cinnabar moth also follows this type of colouration, but, in this case, it is to warn predators that the moth is toxic.

The cinnabar’s larval form is a bright yellow and black caterpillar, which can be seen in coastal grasslands throughout the county. It is almost always found on common ragwort plants, since this forms the main food plant of the caterpillar. Ragwort contains alkaloid toxins, which makes it dangerous to grazing animals, but has no detrimental effects on the caterpillars. On the contrary, they are able to absorb the toxins, thereby making themselves unpalatable and poisonous to most predators. The caterpillars are voracious eaters and can quickly strip ragwort plants of all their leaves. If their food becomes too scarce, things can get a bit gruesome – cinnabar caterpillars have been known to turn to a spot of light cannibalism to get by.

The adult moths fly by both day and night, which makes them a whole lot easy to see than many other moth species. In the adult colouration, the yellow of the caterpillar is replaced by red, but the warning remains the same, since the toxins persist into the adult stage. It’s a very good-looking moth, with mainly black forewings with striking red stripes and spots, whilst the hindwings are bright red with black borders. The stripes on the wings help to distinguish it from the burnet moths, which are also red and black and spotted.

The moth’s name is derived from the bright red mineral cinnabar, an ore of mercury, which, coincidentally, is itself highly poisonous. The species’ scientific name, Tyria jacobaeae, shows the moth’s close relationship with ragwort (Senecio jacobaeae). The close link between moth and plant can be problematic. The poisonous nature of ragwort means that it often requires control measures where livestock grazes. However, in the wider countryside, it poses no real danger and its value to the cinnabar moth and other insects makes it an important part of grassland habitats.

Ageing Well shares new activity programme

Much has been done in recent years to help people in East Lothian get more active, but the number of adults meeting physical activity recommendations declines sharply with age. Physical activity helps prevent and manage a wide range of health conditions, including diabetes, heart and lung conditions and osteoporosis. But did you know that less than a third of people in Scotland aged over 55 are active enough for health?

The Ageing Well project promotes healthy lifestyles for people over 50 in East Lothian. The project is a partnership between NHS Lothian and ourselves.

The Ageing Well project aims to maintain and promote the physical and mental health, well being and quality of life for people over 50 in East Lothian through a list of activities.

 Some ways Ageing Well can help are:

• set up new activities where there is a demand or a gap
• help sign post you to activities in your area
• help you stay healthy and active for longer

There are also opportunities to volunteer for the Ageing Well Project.

Click here for the full list of activities

Click here for Health and Wellbeing Walks

For more information contact:

Parvine Woodger, Ageing Well Coordinator

Email: ageingwell@eastlothian.gov.uk

Tel: 07718 117585