What's on in our museums
Exhibitions
Shore lines and tide marks
This year we’re making coastal connections – the latest project from North Light Arts and Sustaining Dunbar will support the process of reconnecting with, respecting and restoring our environments. The programme of walks, talks and workshops from July onwards will contribute elements to this exhibition in August and September.
6 August to 28 September
Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 1 to 5pm
Free admission
John Muir’s Birthplace, High Street, Dunbar, EH42 1JJ.
Scottish shopfronts and Dunbar shops exhibition
Come and view the fantastic exhibition on the development of Scottish Shopfronts by Lindsay Lennie. There will also be a history of Dunbar High Street shops theme, and we will be encouraging you to bring in stories and information about some of the old high street shops.
We will also run a series of walks and talks, and activities every Wednesday afternoon during the exhibition.
Check out the noticeboard in the Town House window for updates about what’s on.
1 August to 28 September.
Wednesday to Sunday 1.00pm to 5.00pm every week
Free admission
Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery, High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER
Golden days: the life of Charlie Horne
Charlie Horne is a local D-Day veteran, fisherman, husband, father and a great dancer!
Using images and material from Charlies own extensive collection, Golden Days looks back over his life. Featuring audio recordings from Charlie, a diary he kept during D-Day, film footage, family letters and images telling the story of a fascinating life well lived.
30 August to December
John Gray Centre (Museum) 15 Lodge Street, Haddington, EH41 3DX
Free admission
www.johngraycentre.org
Events
Wee Weds
Wednesday mornings at Prestongrange Museum, 10 to 10.30, Bookbug for 0 to 5's and their parents/carers, no charge.
Followed by craft activity, £1 per child.
Prestongrange Museum Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX.
Woolly Craft Club
Come along to learn about East Lothian’s industrial history, try your hand at some knitting and crochet patterns (crocheted coal and knitted bricks!), and have a blether in our café.
Join us at the Visitor Centre Wednesday 10 September, 2 to 4pm.
Free entry
All materials will be supplied but you are welcome to bring your own materials and ideas.
Prestongrange Museum Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX.
East Lothian Walking Festival
Sketch and wander: in the footsteps of John Muir
Friday 5 September. 10.30am to 12.30pm.
In a wonderful collaboration, John Muir’s Birthplace and East Lothian artist Lynn Fraser (aka Fantoosh Sketching) join to offer this bespoke creative walkshop event in Dunbar.
Celebrating the landscape John Muir grew up in, learn some history and some journal techniques as we wander, record and create outside as he loved to do. We will walk on fairly flat ground and at a fairly easy pace to notice and engage with our environment.
Please bring a journal or sketchpad, a pencil/pen and a curious mind. No creative or art experience required.
Friday 5 September
10.30am to 12:30pm
John Muir's Birthplace
Limited numbers
No dogs on this walk please
Find Lynn on instagram & facebook: @fantoosh sketching
Find John Muir’s Birthplace on facebook @John Muir’s Birthplace & instagram @elc_museums
Historic potteries: Musselburgh to Prestongrange
Newbiggin, West Pans and Gordons
Join us for three talks on these potteries given by George Haggarty. George is a research associate at the National Museum of Scotland and has researched and written extensively on twelfth to nineteenth century ceramics.
There will be a display of pottery pieces found along the local shoreline; feel free to bring your own finds to show the experts. Younger visitors can construct their own pottery masterpieces from air-drying clay.
Saturday 6 September
11:00am to 4:00pm.
Free of charge. Clay modelling £1 per person
Drop-in throughout the day. Talks will run between 11.30am and 2pm approx.
Prestongrange Museum Morrison’s Haven, Prestonpans, EH32 9RX
0131 653 2904
prestongrange@eastlothian.gov.uk
East Lothian Archaeology and Heritage Fortnight
Sketch and wander: in the footsteps of John Muir
Saturday 13 September
10.30am to 12.30pm
In a wonderful collaboration, John Muir’s Birthplace and East Lothian artist Lynn Fraser (aka Fantoosh Sketching) join to offer this bespoke event in Dunbar. Celebrating the landscape John Muir grew up in, learn some history and some journal techniques as we wander, record and create outside as he loved to do.
We will walk on fairly flat ground and at a fairly easy pace to notice and engage with our environment. No creative or art experience is required. Please bring a journal or sketchpad, a pencil/pen and a curious mind. All other extra materials supplied on the day.
This walk is suitable for all ages 8+ (anyone under 16 needs to book a place for the adult who will be accompanying them).
No dogs on this walk please
Find Lynn on instagram and facebook: @fantoosh sketching
Find John Muir’s Birthplace on facebook @John Muir’s Birthplace and instagram @elc_museums
Doors Open Days
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September
Scotland's largest free festival that celebrates places and stories, new and old.
Architectural heritage: windows to the past, doors to the future
Take a guided tour with one of our knowledgeable members of staff and discover the history of Prestongrange museum – a story of monks, mining and industrial might spanning over 800 years. We will be allowing visitors access to parts of Prestongrange that aren’t always open to the public. This includes a look inside the Cornish beam engine, which is unique in Scotland, and the new Engine Shed.
Prestongrange Museum
11:00am - 4.30pm
Two free guided tours each day at 11:30am and 2pm
We will be holding guided tours of Dunbar Town House, allowing visitors access to parts of the building that aren’t always open to the public.
For over 400 years councillors and magistrates presided over the affairs of the burgh from our council chamber including the infamous East Lothian witch trials. Below the chamber is a grimly atmospheric jail with its original massive iron door which has become a popular ghost hunting venue. In the neighbouring debtor's cell the fireplace has been preserved - complete with prisoners' graffiti.
Drop-in and let staff know that you would like to go on a tour.
Tours leave from the ground floor of the building.
Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery
1pm to 4pm
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)