Commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day
Council colleagues are invited to join the nationwide two-minute silence at midday on VE Day, Thursday 8 May, offering an opportunity to remember and thank those who fought for our freedom.
In addition, a series of activities has been planned throughout 2025 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2, the contributions of the generations who lived and served through it and its legacy in East Lothian.
East Lothian held an important strategic position in both the First and Second World Wars. Its location along the Forth and next to Edinburgh meant that it played a key defensive role by both sea and air. The conflict impacted communities through conscription, lives lost during service and families forever changed by their wartime experiences.
'Dig for victory'
A ‘Dig for Victory’ competition has been launched in East Lothian Council schools for pupils in primaries 5 to 7 and S1 to S3 in secondary schools. The Dig for Victory campaign encouraged people across Britain to grow their own food during wartime. The competition invites young people to explore the spirit of the campaign—resilience, resourcefulness, and community—through art, writing, gardening, and history.
Entries will be judged for their creativity and originality, understanding of the theme and effort and presentation by a panel including council representatives who have served in the Armed Forces. A selection of entries will be displayed in libraries.
Libraries and museums
Haddington, North Berwick and Tranent libraries are hosting an exhibition of photographs while John Gray Centre is highlighting the World War 2 items in its collection online with some of the items on display in the museum’s foyer. A display of information and images on the role of Polish soldiers is available to view on the John Gray Centre website www.johngraycentre.org
WW2 walking trail
Finally, a walking trail launching in summer months to East Lothian’s unique WW2 anti-tank defences along the county’s coast will give people an opportunity to pause and reflect on the impact on the landscape which remains visible today.
What's on at The Brunton
As the warmth of summer approaches, The Brunton offers a new and exciting programme of events in Musselburgh and Haddington to get audiences ready for the season ahead.
Corn Exchange, Haddington
In Haddington this May, Scotland’s answer to Pink Floyd, MacFloyd, bring their new show for 2025 to the Corn Exchange celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s classic ‘Wish You Were Here’ album.
Also in Haddington this May, The Brunton is offering a unique opportunity to meet one of the most successful rugby coaches of the modern era, Warren Gatland. Listen to Gatland’s coaching ethos and find out what the future has in store for this coaching legend.
For the comedy lovers, ex-MP Mhairi Black makes her way to the Corn Exchange as she embraces her trademark dark sense of humour to reflect on her time in Westminster.
The story of music legends Simon and Garfunkel as you’ve never seen it before. With standing ovations at every performance that Art Garfunkel himself loved, you don’t want to miss this international sensation!
Celebrate the sensationally strong female leaders of rock with a cast of world-class musicians and vocalists that promise to deliver a blistering performance, you’ll be singing, dancing, and rocking out to hit after hit.
Finally at the Corn Exchange this May, join Artie’s Singing Kettle – Scotland and relive the original repertoire that made the show famous. Something for the whole family to enjoy!
Musselburgh, Loretto Theatre
You can still enjoy The Brunton’s programme in Musselburgh this May, watch a moving untold story of how Rich Jenkins became Richard Burton, the biggest star in Wales has ever produced, in Mr Burton (12A) coming to Loretto Theatre.
Musselburgh’s Midweek Movies continue with an epic retelling of Homer’s Odyssey starring Ralph Fiennes in The Return (15) also at Loretto Theatre.
Experience live theatre at Loretto Theatre as part of The Brunton’s programme, this highly praised, moving, and often humorous one-man play bravely challenges assumptions about what drives populist politics to show how they can seduce the disillusioned and disaffected.
Musselburgh, Northesk Parish Church
Expect stunning vocals and lyrical songs performed by one of Scotland’s most celebrated folk singer-songwriters, Siobhan Miller, as she performs alongside Innes White on guitar and Charlie Stewart on fiddle in Musselburgh’s iconic Northesk Parish Church.
This May, The Brunton’s lunchtime recitals invites Iyad Sughayer to offer audiences a musical journey from the classical poise of Mozart through to the encompassing romanticism of Khachaturian. A light lunch of soup and a sandwich is served in the Church Hall adjacent to the church at midday.
Lastly at Northesk Parish Church this May, The Brunton are offering the chance to see Cuba’s internationally acclaimed guitar duo performing together in Musselburgh.
What's on in our museums
This May there are lots of exciting events and new exhibitions at the museums in Prestonpans, Haddington and Dunbar.
Events
Wee Wednesdays
Prestongrange Museum Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX.
Wednesday mornings at Prestongrange Museum, 10 to 10.30am, Bookbug for 0 to 5s and their parents/carers, no charge. Followed by craft activity, £1 per child.
New Exhibitions
East Lothian Vision 2040 Climate Creativity
23 April to 1 June
John Muir’s Birthplace, High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1JJ.
Exhibition of inspiring artwork, stories and poems on climate and nature by secondary school students.
People and Places an exhibition by Martha Ellis
2 April to 11 May
Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.
Inspired by people and nature around her, Musselburgh based artist Martha Ellis exhibits a selection of work and research drawings made during the creation of her Queen Margaret University 150th Anniversary sculpture.
Making and Music
3 April to mid June
Musselburgh Museum, 65 High St, Musselburgh EH21 7BZ.
The centenary and creative life of Fisherrow-born artist and musician James Burnet Munro (1925-1990) and his family is being celebrated this year with art exhibitions and events in Musselburgh, Haddington, Edinburgh and across Scotland.
Coming Soon
Far from the 'Floating World' an exhibition by Kenneth Wilson
16 May to 22 June
Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER.
Following where the rocks lead; permanence and change. Paintings, prints and sculpture influenced by geology.
Creative Journey - A Hundred Years of Family Creativity
15 May to 16 August
John Gray Centre (Museum) 15 Lodge Street, Haddington, EH41 3DX.
An exhibition celebrating the centenary of artist, musician, and educator, James Burnet Munro (1925-1990) who lived and work in Musselburgh. Eight artists from his extended family present paintings, music, sculpture, prints, photography and film from their own diverse creative practices alongside work by James Munro. Each of the artists was trained and some have worked at Edinburgh College of Art from the 1930s to 2025.
James Burnet Munro, Nancy Munro Curran, Alex Munro, Kenny Munro, Gordon Munro, Sheena Watson, Jane Hyslop, Kerry Watson and Rosalind Thomson.
A public trail accompanies the exhibition. www.jamesbmunroartist.co.uk
East Lothian Council Museums:
15 Lodge Street, Haddington, EH41 3DX
Thursday and Friday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm
126 High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1JJ
Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 1pm to 5pm
High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1ER
Wednesday to Sunday 1pm to 5pm
(from Wednesday 2 April to Sunday 28 September)
Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX
Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 4.30pm
(from Wednesday 2 April to Sunday 28 September)
School Road, North Berwick, EH39 4JU
Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm
(from Wednesday 9 April to Saturday 25 October)
65 High St, Musselburgh EH21 7BZ
Thursday to Saturday 10.30am to 4pm
(from Thursday 3 April to Saturday 27 September)