East Lothian
DOORS OPEN DAY and ARCHAEOLOGY WEEK 2007

Doors Open Day (Sunday 16 September) and Archaeology Week (Friday 7 to Monday 17 September) are annual events which enable the public to enjoy free of charge East Lothian’s diverse cultural, architectural and historical heritage.

Please note that some attractions must be booked at 01620 827873 for Doors Open Day, or 01620 827408 for Archaeology Week or as indicated in the entry. Places are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Please be aware that visitors enter buildings and other sites and take part in activities at their own risk and neither East Lothian Council nor the owners of the buildings and properties are liable for any accident or damage incurred.

For a fuller description of events please visit www.eastlothian.gov.uk

Doors Open Day,

Sunday 16 September
Amisfield Walled Garden, Haddington: Amisfield House was demolished in 1928 but its wonderful Walled Garden is A listed and encloses eight acres. The Summer house is B listed. Guided tours on the hour from 11.00 am - 4.00 pm (limited places). Booking.

Dunbar Historic Tour: A two-hour tour of Dunbar town centre be led by Paul Zochowski Principal Planner at the Council, to view the renovation work of the Dunbar Townscape Heritage Initiative. Tour starts at 2 pm from historic council chambers in Dunbar Town House, High Street. Booking.

Cockenzie Power Station, Prestonpans: A 1200 mega watt coal-fired working power station opened in 1968. Open 10 am to 3 pm with guided tours on the hour; limited places. Sorry, no children under 10. Disabled access: limited access to Turbine Floor and Control Room. Booking.

Glenkinchie Distillery, Pencaitland: Glenkinchie Distillery is one of only two Lowland distilleries. Guided tours demonstrate the whole process of whisky making. Open 12 – 5 pm with tours every 15 minutes (last tour 4 pm). Sorry, no under eight-year-olds.

Haddington Historical Tour: Local experts in the history of Haddington and its buildings will be conducting historical tours of East Lothian’s county town at 12, 12.30 and 1 pm from the Town House at the end of Court Street. Information handouts will be available. Booking.

Haddington Town House Piano: Haddington Concert Society invites pianists of all ages to drop into the Town House between 10 to 4 pm and play a Bosendorfer grand piano. This superb instrument came from the Musikverein concert hall in Vienna and was inaugurated in April 2005 by the virtuoso pianist John Lill. No booking required.

John Muir Birthplace: Families are invited to drop in and try their hand at excavating and making prehistoric pots at John Muir Birthplace. 2-4 pm. To find out more contact John Muir Birthplace 01368 865899

Musselburgh Historical Tour: Local experts in the history of Musselburgh and its buildings will be conducting historical tours starting inside the ancient Tolbooth at the east end of the High Street. Tours will start at 12, 2 and 4 pm and will last approx 1 hour 30 minutes. Booking.

Musselburgh Police Station: A rare opportunity to take a tour around an operational police station run by Lothian and Borders Police. Among locations included in the tour will be the operations room, old and new cells, custody suite and more. Open 10 am to 4 pm with tours every 30 minutes. Booking.

North Berwick Lifeboat Station: Drop into the RNLI Station at Victoria Road and learn how a modern lifeboat operates and the history of the service in the area, including rescues that earned gallantry medals for the crews. Open 10-5 pm.

East Lothian Archaeology Week 2007 Programme

Please note that many of the events need to be booked sometimes with a maximum number permitted. Where this is indicated, please contact Irene Burnett 01620827408 iburnett@eastlothian.gov.uk).

Throughout the Week:
Treasures of East Lothian An exhibition of recent Treasure Trove acquisitions, Dunbar Town House, Sept 8th-31st October, daily 12.30-4.30 pm. No disabled access.

East Lothian’s Treasure Trove An exhibition provided by the Treasure Trove Unit. Musselburgh Library, Sept 8th-17th, 10 am –1 pm & 2 pm-5 pm. Disabled access.

Time Detectives A joint archaeological exhibition by East Lothian’s Young Archaeology Club and the Prestongrange Community Archaeology Project, Prestongrange Power House, Sept 8th-October 31st, 11am-4pm. Disabled access.

Exhibition about digital resources to research your local area.  An exhibition and hands-on opportunity to explore information, archaeological images and historic photographs of your local area, artefacts from museums, historic documents and maps, artworks from galleries, and more. This exhibition is presented by the Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network (SCRAN). Prestongrange Visitor Centre, Sept 8th-15th, 11 am-4 pm. Disabled access.

Specific events:
Friday Sept 7th
Window on the Past: Archaeological Discoveries in East Lothian over the last 5 years Launch of the 2007 Archaeology Week, wine reception and lecture by Biddy Simpson (ELC Heritage Officer). Register your interest in attending with Irene Burnett 01620 827408 iburnett@eastlothian.gov.uk. HaddingtonTown House, 7-9 pm. Disabled access.

Saturday Sept 8th
Guided walking tour of the medieval village of Dirleton by Bill Nimmo (Gullane and Dirleton History Society) including access to various private gardens to see historic buildings. Meet: Dirleton Castle entrance, 10am-noon/12.30. 15 (max). No disabled access. Booking, 15 maximum.

Guided tour of Dirleton medieval castle by Andrew Spratt (Historic Scotland) 2-3 pm. Meet: Dirleton Castle entrance. 15 (max). No disabled access. Booking, 15 maximum.

Guided tour of Dirleton kirk and kirkyard by Bill Fife (Gullane and Dirleton History Society). Find out about the history of the kirk, the many fascinating memorial stones and the people commemorated. Booking required (Irene Burnett 01620827408 iburnett@eastlothian.gov.uk). Meet: Entrance to kirkyard. 3.30pm-5.30pm. 15 (max). No disabled access. Booking, 15 maximum.

Prestongrange Community Archaeology Project Open Day. Drop in to see the continuing excavations at Prestongrange in progress! Excavations this summer have focused on the 17th century glassworks and the site of a 19th century pottery. Also, on site, exhibitions, artefact displays, guided tours etc. Family event. 11 am - 4 pm. Partial disabled access.

Sunday Sept 9th
Exploring Pinkie and other Great Battles of British History A lecture by one of Britain’s leading archaeologists, Glenn Foard (Battlefields Trust and Leeds University) to mark the 460th anniversary of the Battle of Pinkie (10th Sept. 1547) and the upcoming anniversary of the Battle of Prestonpans (Sept. 21st 1745). Please register your interest in attending with Irene Burnett 01620827408 iburnett@eastlothian.gov.uk) Venue: Supper Room, Brunton Hall, Musselburgh. 11.30 am -12.30 pm.

A Guided walking tour of the Battle of Pinkie by Glenn Foard. Meeting point: on booking. 2 –4 pm (approx). No dogs. Booking, 25 maximum.

Monday Sept 10th
Explore Dunbar’s Underground Vaults and Visit On-Site Excavations! Find out more about the vaults. How old are they and what were they used for? Were they associated with the castle or a much later structure? Guided tour and informal talk on site by the Dunbar Vaults Investigation Group. Meet at the Fisherman’s Stores, beyond the Life Boat Shed, by Dunbar Castle. 6-8pm. No disabled access to vaults. Booking, 20 maximum.

Tuesday Sept 11th
The Dunbar Townscape Heritage Initiative A walking tour of Dunbar town centre by Paul Zochowski (Principal Planner, ELC) to see the work of the Dunbar Townscape Heritage Initiative in repairing historic buildings and enhancing the medieval core of Dunbar’s Conservation Area. Includes access to the historic Council Chamber in Dunbar Town House. Meet: Outside Dunbar Town House, 2-4pm. No disabled access. Booking, 20 maximum.

Guided walking tour of Dirleton village by Bill Nimmo (see Sept 8th), Meet at Dirleton Castle entrance, 10am Tour from 10am-12.30. No disabled access. Booking,

Guided tour of Dirleton medieval castle by Andrew Spratt (see Sept 8th) 2-3pm. Meet at Dirleton Castle entrance. No disabled access. Booking, 15 maximum.

Guided tour of Dirleton kirk and kirkyard by Bill Fife (see Sept 8th). Meet at entrance to kirkyard. 3.30 pm - 5.30pm. No disabled access. Booking 15 maximum.

Wednesday Sept 12th
Meet the Ancestors: a tour of Garvald Graveyard and a Gravestone Recording Workshop with Stephanie Leith (ELC Archaeology Service).. Meet at Garvald Churchyard 2 pm - 4 pm. Disabled access. Booking, 15 maximum.

Prehistoric North Berwick Law. A guided walking tour of the Bronze/Iron Age remains on the Law. Meet at Berwick Law car park. Tour 10-noon. No disabled access. Stout boots and waterproofs. Booking, 15 maximum.

Thursday Sept 13th
East Lothian’s Built Past A photographic exhibition of buildings in East Lothian by members of Haddington Remembered. No booking required. Venue: Church of Christ meeting room, Newton Port, Haddington. 10am-1130am. Refreshments. No disabled access.

Distilling in the Lothians, distillery followed by tasting session and tour.  c. 1780-1850 a lecture by Richard Heawood of Abercorn Archaeology (Gifford) followed by tour of Glenkinchie distillery and taster session (c/o Glenkinchie Distillery). Venue: Glenkinchie Distillery 7 pm-9 pm. Booking, 45 maximum.

Friday Sept 14th
Heritage, Pilgrimage and Archaeology at Aberlady Bay. Find out more about Aberlady’s medieval past and visit the medieval church, harbour and smugglers’ cave. Talk and guided tour by Ian Malcolm (Aberlady Conservation Society). Venue: Kirk Stables, Main Street, Aberlady. 10.30 am –1 pm. No disabled access. Booking, 20 maximum.

Newhailes Archaeology and Landscape Tour. A guided tour of the archaeology and designed landscape of Newhailes House grounds by the National Trust for Scotland. Book early to avoid disappointment on 0131 6535599. Meet at Newhailes Visitor Centre. Tours at 1pm and 3.30 pm (tour lasts 60-75 mins). Visitor Centre and café open from noon. No disabled access

Archaeology, stories, games and crafts. Young persons (5-12 yr olds) archaeology workshop, 2.30 – 3 pm. Booking required contact John Muir Birthplace.John Muir Birthplace 01368 865899 info@jmbt.org.uk). Disabled access.

Changing Views of the British Mesolithic: Evidence from the Lothians, Berwickshire and Northumberland by leading specialist Kristian Pedersen. The Gibb Room, Dunbar Library, 7-8.30pm, Disabled access (please indicate disability when booking). Booking, 40 maximum.

Saturday Sept 15th
Heritage, Pilgrimage and Archaeology at Aberlady Bay (see Sept 14th).

Meet the Ancestors: A Tour of Garvald Graveyard and a Gravestone Recording Workshop with Stephanie Leith.. Meet: Garvald Churchyard. Tour 10 pm-noon. Disabled access. Booking, 15 maximum.

Young Person and Family Drop In Archaeology Activity Try your hand at excavating and making prehistoric pots at John Muir Birthplace. 2-4pm. To find out more contact John Muir Birthplace 01368 865899 info@jmbt.org.uk Booking

Trash or Treasure? In this hands on exploration game, think like an archaeologist and look for the clues about how people lived. Drop in workshop 2-4pm, Prestongrange Visitor Centre. To find out more contact Prestongrange Visitor Centre (2-4pm) 0131 653 2904 / 01620 828203 info@prestongrange.org

Prehistoric remains of Nine Stone Rig and Mayshiel. A guided walking tour (4 miles) of just some of the prehistoric remains in the Lammermuirs and an informal recording workshop. Meet at parking area at Johnscleugh. Tour 2-5pm. No disabled access. Stout boots, waterproofs and something to eat and drink. Event to be confirmed. No dogs. Booking, 10 maximum.

Sunday Sept 16th
Young Person and Family Drop In Archaeology Activity (see Sept 15th). 2-4pm. To find out more contact John Muir Birthplace 01368 865899 info@jmbt.org.uk

Fabulous Finds Get some hands-on experience with archaeological artefacts found in East Lothian and, find out about record-keeping, care and preservation. Drop in workshop 2-4pm, Prestongrange Visitor Centre. To find out more contact Prestongrange Museum (11am-4pm) 0131 653 2904.

Prehistoric North Berwick Law (see Sept 12th). Meet at North Berwick Law car park. 3-5pm. No disabled access. Stout boots and waterproofs. Booking, 15 maximum.

Monday Sept 17th
Prehistoric remains of Nine Stone Rig and Mayshiel (see Sept 15th).. Meet at parking area at Johnscleugh. 10-1pm. Booking required, 10 maximum.

Other Heritage Events
East Lothian Apple Day organised by East Linton Horticultural Society. Talk, guided walks of Smeaton walled garden, apple displays, apple exhibition competition, teas etc. Booking required for some events. Various events, various times. Saturday, 22nd September. For more information contact David Affleck 01620 860694 and see local press for further details.