The East Lothian Battlefield Triennial - telling our Nation's History

A 3 Year Cycle to re-enact the Nation's major battles in East Lothian

The county of East Lothian is on the route from England to Scotland and over the centuries many a fierce battle was waged. Three were especially significant: Pinkie Cleugh in 1547, Dunbar in 1650 and Prestonpans in 1745.

Since 2006 the Battle Trust in Prestonpans has been presenting annual re-enactments and doing a great deal of research. The famous Prestonpans Tapestry launched in 2010 has now been seen by over 350,000 visitors at some 50+ exhibitions from Bayeux to Fort William/ from Eriskay to Haddington.

Now under an initiative from the newly established Scottish Battlefields Trust plans are afoot to re-enact the other two great battles in a three year cycle. It's a challenge because uniforms are quite different as is the military equipment, but those are issues to overcome. East Lothian Council has expressed support for the initiative and history groups in each locality are getting ready for their particular year. It's The Pans again in 2015 but 2016 will be in Dunbar and 2017 at Pinkie Cleugh.



The ambition is to involve schools not only at the re-enactments but in studying the history surrounding each great battle - Mary Queen of Scots in 1547, Cromwell in 1650 and of course Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745.

... and the Scottish Battlefields Trust is delighted to report that the East Lothian Courier has agreed that it will be actively supporting this initiative with wise advice and most welcome publicity.