East Lothian Archaeology and Heritage Fortnight 2026
The much-anticipated programme for this year’s celebration of East Lothian’s cultural heritage and archaeology is now live.
East Lothian Archaeology and Heritage Fortnight brings together experts and enthusiasts to showcase the wealth of history on our doorstep. This year’s event will run from 29 August to 13 September.
Here are just some of this year’s highlights to give you a flavour of what’s available.
A mine of information: the development of mines in East Lothian
John Gray Centre, Haddington
Monday 31 August
5:30pm to 6:30pm
Coal mining was once an important industry in East Lothian, with mining in the area from the medieval period until the late 20th century. Join Vicki Robb from the National Mining Museum Scotland for a presentation on the historical mines located in East Lothian. There will also be a demonstration on the usage of various mining items. Audience members will be given an opportunity to handle the various objects.
Waggonway beer festival
1722 Waggonway Heritage Centre, West Harbour Road, Cockenzie
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September
2pm to 10pm each day
Come along and enjoy great local beers in our rustic museum!
Adults (18+) ID required / Challenge 25 policy will apply.
Free entry, drop in
The Romans of Inveresk and East Lothian
John Gray Centre, Haddington
Saturday 12 September
11am
In line with a new exhibition coming soon at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Dr Fraser Hunter will give a presentation highlighting the Roman discoveries in Inveresk as well as other parts of East Lothian.
Steam ploughing in East Lothian
The Richard Demarco Gallery, Papple Steading
Friday 4 September
11am, tour at 1pm
Join us at Papple Steading for this presentation giving a survey of the development and use of steam ploughing and cultivation in East Lothian from the early 1830s until 2016, by Dr Heather Holmes. The talk will be followed by a tour of the steading.
After briefly describing what steam ploughing and cultivation is, Heather looks at how it developed throughout the county, who were the most important farmers and landowners involved in it and their activities, how this innovation was received on farms in the county and its impact on East Lothian agriculture.
The tour round the steading tells the story of how the small Papple Estate transformed during the Agricultural Improvement period and further developed into the ‘perfect’ model farm in 1860 as part of Balfour’s Whittingehame Estate.
Coffee served from 10.30am at The Gallery. Pastries, lunch and dinner can be booked at Eve’s Court restaurant open from 9am to 9pm.
Pilgrim walks in South East Scotland
John Gray Centre, Haddington
Tuesday 1 September
2:30pm to 4pm
Pilgrimage has been described as a sacred journey or a journey with a profound spiritual meaning. East Lothian and the wider region contains a significant number of pilgrimage sites and routes which Tom Brownlee will discuss in his illustrated talk. A retired religious studies teacher, Tom recently completed the St Cuthbert’s Way.
Archive tour - criminal records
John Gray Centre, Haddington
Tuesday 8 September
11am to midday
Join us for a look at some of the crimes and criminals lurking in the archives. Featuring tales of witches, jailbreak and schoolboy mischief! Come and have a look at original records.
Railways of East Lothian: then and now
John Gray Centre, Haddington
Monday 7 August
5:30pm to 6:30pm
Representatives of Scotland’s Railway Museum will give an illustrated presentation highlighting the various historical railway branch lines of East Lothian. Audience members are also invited to share their railway memories.
Remembering the Brunton
Northesk Church, Musselburgh
Wednesday 2 September
11am to 2pm
Join the Archive Service at this drop-in event as we look at some of the memories and material collected from The Brunton. Also a chance to share your stories, whether it be of the building, the theatre or otherwise.
The full programme is online and features almost 60 events including talks, guided walks, re-enactments, exhibitions and workshops, or you can tune in to a series of online presentations.