Haddington, East Lothian
Encyclopedia
The Royal Burgh
of Haddington is a town in East Lothian
, Scotland
. It is the main administrative, cultural and geographical centre for East Lothian, which was known officially as Haddingtonshire before 1921. It lies about 20 miles (32 km) east of Edinburgh
. The name Haddington is Anglo-Saxon
, dating from the 6th or 7th century AD when the area was incorporated into the kingdom of Bernicia
. The town, like the rest of the Lothian
region, was ceded by King Edgar of England
and became part of Scotland in the 10th century. Haddington received burghal status
, one of the earliest to do so, during the reign of David I
(1124–1153), giving it trading rights which encouraged its growth into a market town
.
Today Haddington is a small town with a population of less than 9,000, although at one time it was the fourth biggest city in Scotland after Aberdeen
, Roxburgh
and Edinburgh. In the middle the town is the Town House, built in 1748 according to a plan by William Adam. When first built, it inheld a council chamber, jail and sheriff court, to which assembly rooms were added in 1788, and a new clock in 1835. Nearby is the Corn Exchange (1854) and the County Courthouse (1833). Other notable sites include the Jane Welsh Carlyle House, and Mitchell's Close.
, and was once famous for its mills. It developed into the fourth largest town in Scotland during the High Middle Ages
, and latterly was at the centre of the mid-18th century Scottish Agricultural Revolution
.
In 1641 an Act was passed by the Parliament of Scotland
to encourage the production of fine cloth, and in 1645 an amendment went through stating that the masters and workers of manufactories would be exempt from military service. As a result of this, more factories were established; these included the New Mills. This factory suffered during the Civil War with the loss of its cloth to General Monck. A new charter was drawn up in May 1681, and major capital invested in new machinery, but the New Mills had mixed fortunes, inevitably affected by the lack of protectionism for Scottish manufactured cloth. The Scots Courant reported in 1712 that New Mills was to be 'rouped' (auctioned). The property was sold on 16 February 1713 and the machinery and plant on March 20. The lands of New Mills were purchased by Colonel Francis Charteris
and he changed their name to Amisfield
.
As the county town of East Lothian Haddington is the seat of East Lothian Council, with offices located at John Muir House behind Court Street. This building occupies the site of Haddington's 12th century royal palace & adjoins the sheriff court complex. As such Haddington is the home to East Lothian's administration, a boost to the status and local economy of the town. Retailers based in Haddington include Tesco, Subway, Boots (the chemist), and Greggs (the baker), amongst others. Besides retail and administration, the town is also home to various lawyers' firms and has industrial capacity in the works beside the Tyne at the Victoria Bridge (PureMalt), and around the site of the old station - Lemac, and various smaller industrial units and garages. Haddington is also home to the offices of the local newspaper the East Lothian Courier. There is a farmers market held on the last Saturday of the month in Court Street.
Norwegian wikipedia with some Haddington pictures and links to the former Tandberg Electronics history :
http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haddington
All that remains of Amisfield today are the summer house, walled garden, ice house, chapel, and gates.
Lennoxlove House
, a historic 13th century house and estate, lies half a mile south of Haddington. Built by the Giffards of Yester
, it was originally named Lethington. It was once home to the Maitland family, notably Sir Richard Maitland
, and his son William Maitlin
, Secretary of State to Mary, Queen of Scots'. The Maitlands left Lennoxlove in the 17th century, and it is now the seat of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon.
The world's earliest surviving records of a lodge of free gardeners
come from Haddington, in 1676.
, but includes an Episcopalian
chapel, the Lauderdale Aisle, containing the mausoleum of the Maitland Earls of Lauderdale
. It is the longest parish church in Scotland and is in regular use for worship and musical events. It is directly adjacent to the river Tyne, beside the 12th century Nungate bridge.
The present building (built with red sandstone from nearby Garvald
) was started in 1375 (an earlier St Mary's Church having been destroyed by the English in 1356), and consecrated in 1410, despite building work not being finished until 1487. The church was partially destroyed during the 1548-49 Siege of Haddington that followed the Rough Wooing of Henry VIII
, and on the advice of John Knox
, it was restored "frae the tower to the West door". Thus the nave became the church and the choir and transepts were left ruined until the whole church was restored in the 1970s. The Lammermuir pipe organ
was built in 1990.
A set of eight bells hung for full change ringing was installed for the Millennium
.
football
club Haddington Athletic
.
Haddington is also home to Haddington RFC
, currently playing in Scotland Premiership Division Three.
Haddington is also famous for its Rugby, with the Under 18 Colts being one of the best teams in Scotland and frequently chosen by foreign touring teams to test their skills against. They have gained a reputation with other local towns for being an aggressive, physical and feared team to play.
The town's thriving pipe band (www.haddingtonpipeband.co.uk) was formed in 1981. It is dedicated to promoting piping and drumming in East Lothian and supporting community events. In November 2009, the band was selected as the Scottish Pipe Band of the Year at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.
Haddington sits on the A1 dual-carriageway linking Edinburgh
with London
. The town is currently served by the bus companies First, Perrymans and Eve Coaches. These buses allow travel to Edinburgh
, Berwick-upon-Tweed
, and other towns and villages in East Lothian
. First Scotland East have also recently taken over the 123 Gifford Circle service from Prentice Coaches. The result of the changeover means buses to/from Gifford are being cut and no late night services will be provided, the same is true on the other local 121 service. The town service previously included in 123 timetable is being completely cut. Haddington was served by a railway branch line which carried passengers from 1846 until 1949.
was a branch from the East Coast Main Line
at Longniddry
and terminated with a railway station and freight depot in the area between West Road and Hospital Road. The line was 4.8 miles in length
and had stations at Coatyburn Siding and Laverocklaw Siding before terminating in Haddington. The line was opened on the 22nd of June 1846. The branch had only a single track, though bridges and embankments were built to allow for a double track. Passengers from Haddington were required to alight at Longniddry and change trains in order to travel to Edinburgh.
The Haddington branch line and station were damaged during the flood of 1948 and though both passenger and freight services were reinstated, British Rail
opted to remove rail services to the public due to competition from bus services and dwindling passenger numbers. Passenger services ended on the 29th of December 1949. The use of the railway line for freight continued to March 1968.
The larger Victorian station building was demolished, however a smaller older building, parts of the platform structure, and embankment walls remain. These are recognisable by their distinctive red-brick appearance, and can be seen from West Road, Somnerfield Court, and the industrial area south of Hospital Road.
The land occupied by Haddington's railway line is owned by East Lothian Council and is used by walkers, cyclists and horse-riders in the section of the line between Longniddry station and the St Lawrence area of Haddington. The eastern terminus of the line is occupied by industrial units and scrub vegetation. A campaign to reopen Haddington’s railway service is led by the group RAGES (Rail Action Group East of Scotland). Since the closure of the station in the 1940s (isolated as it then was at the western extremity of Haddington), the town has expanded significantly. Between 1951 and 1981 the population of the town grew by 54 per cent. It remains to be seen whether further expansion of the town will lead to a reinstatement of Haddington's rail service, since there are congestion issues on both the East Coast Main Line
and at Edinburgh Waverley railway station.
_ii.jpg)
55.955621°N 2.778815°W
Royal burgh
A royal burgh was a type of Scottish burgh which had been founded by, or subsequently granted, a royal charter. Although abolished in 1975, the term is still used in many of the former burghs....
of Haddington is a town in East Lothian
East Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is the main administrative, cultural and geographical centre for East Lothian, which was known officially as Haddingtonshire before 1921. It lies about 20 miles (32 km) east of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. The name Haddington is Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon may refer to:* Anglo-Saxons, a group that invaded Britain** Old English, their language** Anglo-Saxon England, their history, one of various ships* White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, an ethnicity* Anglo-Saxon economy, modern macroeconomic term...
, dating from the 6th or 7th century AD when the area was incorporated into the kingdom of Bernicia
Bernicia
Bernicia was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom established by Anglian settlers of the 6th century in what is now southeastern Scotland and North East England....
. The town, like the rest of the Lothian
Lothian
Lothian forms a traditional region of Scotland, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills....
region, was ceded by King Edgar of England
Edgar of England
Edgar the Peaceful, or Edgar I , also called the Peaceable, was a king of England . Edgar was the younger son of Edmund I of England.-Accession:...
and became part of Scotland in the 10th century. Haddington received burghal status
Burgh
A burgh was an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland and Northern England, usually a town. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when King David I created the first royal burghs. Burgh status was broadly analogous to borough status, found in the rest of the United...
, one of the earliest to do so, during the reign of David I
David I of Scotland
David I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...
(1124–1153), giving it trading rights which encouraged its growth into a market town
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
.
Today Haddington is a small town with a population of less than 9,000, although at one time it was the fourth biggest city in Scotland after Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Roxburgh
Roxburgh
Roxburgh , also known as Rosbroch, is a village, civil parish and now-destroyed royal burgh. It was an important trading burgh in High Medieval to early modern Scotland...
and Edinburgh. In the middle the town is the Town House, built in 1748 according to a plan by William Adam. When first built, it inheld a council chamber, jail and sheriff court, to which assembly rooms were added in 1788, and a new clock in 1835. Nearby is the Corn Exchange (1854) and the County Courthouse (1833). Other notable sites include the Jane Welsh Carlyle House, and Mitchell's Close.
Economy
Haddington is located predominantly on the north-east bank of the River TyneRiver Tyne, Scotland
The River Tyne is a river in Scotland, UK. It rises in the Moorfoot Hills in Midlothian near Tynehead to the south of Edinburgh, at the junction of the B6458 and the B6367. It continues for approx...
, and was once famous for its mills. It developed into the fourth largest town in Scotland during the High Middle Ages
High Middle Ages
The High Middle Ages was the period of European history around the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries . The High Middle Ages were preceded by the Early Middle Ages and followed by the Late Middle Ages, which by convention end around 1500....
, and latterly was at the centre of the mid-18th century Scottish Agricultural Revolution
Scottish Agricultural Revolution
The Agricultural Revolution in Scotland began in the mid-18th century with the improvements of Scottish Lowlands farmland and the beginning of a transformation of Scottish agriculture from one of the most backward into what was to become the most modern and productive system in Europe. The...
.
In 1641 an Act was passed by the Parliament of Scotland
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
to encourage the production of fine cloth, and in 1645 an amendment went through stating that the masters and workers of manufactories would be exempt from military service. As a result of this, more factories were established; these included the New Mills. This factory suffered during the Civil War with the loss of its cloth to General Monck. A new charter was drawn up in May 1681, and major capital invested in new machinery, but the New Mills had mixed fortunes, inevitably affected by the lack of protectionism for Scottish manufactured cloth. The Scots Courant reported in 1712 that New Mills was to be 'rouped' (auctioned). The property was sold on 16 February 1713 and the machinery and plant on March 20. The lands of New Mills were purchased by Colonel Francis Charteris
Colonel Francis Charteris
Colonel Francis Charteris , nicknamed "The Rape-Master General", was a Scottish gentleman who earned a substantial sum of money through gambling and the South Sea Bubble...
and he changed their name to Amisfield
Amisfield
Amisfield is a village in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland....
.
As the county town of East Lothian Haddington is the seat of East Lothian Council, with offices located at John Muir House behind Court Street. This building occupies the site of Haddington's 12th century royal palace & adjoins the sheriff court complex. As such Haddington is the home to East Lothian's administration, a boost to the status and local economy of the town. Retailers based in Haddington include Tesco, Subway, Boots (the chemist), and Greggs (the baker), amongst others. Besides retail and administration, the town is also home to various lawyers' firms and has industrial capacity in the works beside the Tyne at the Victoria Bridge (PureMalt), and around the site of the old station - Lemac, and various smaller industrial units and garages. Haddington is also home to the offices of the local newspaper the East Lothian Courier. There is a farmers market held on the last Saturday of the month in Court Street.
Norwegian wikipedia with some Haddington pictures and links to the former Tandberg Electronics history :
http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haddington
Landmarks
Amisfield House was located east of Haddington, south of the River Tyne. Designed by architect Isaac Ware and built of Garvald red freestone for Colonel Francis Charteris, it was described in The Buildings of Scotland as "the most important building of the orthodox Palladian school in Scotland." John Henderson built the walled garden in 1783, and the castellated stable block in 1785. The park in front of the house, possibly landscaped by James Bowie, is today entirely ploughed. A victim of dry rot, the house was demolished in 1928.All that remains of Amisfield today are the summer house, walled garden, ice house, chapel, and gates.
Lennoxlove House
Lennoxlove House
Lennoxlove House is a historic house set in woodlands half a mile south of Haddington in East Lothian, Scotland. The house comprises a 15th-century tower, originally known as Lethington, and has been extended several times, principally in the 17th, 19th and 20th centuries...
, a historic 13th century house and estate, lies half a mile south of Haddington. Built by the Giffards of Yester
Yester Castle
Yester Castle is a ruined castle, located south east of the village of Gifford in East Lothian, Scotland. The only remaining structure is the subterranean Goblin Ha' or Hobgoblin Ha' ...
, it was originally named Lethington. It was once home to the Maitland family, notably Sir Richard Maitland
Richard Maitland
Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington and Thirlstane was a Senator of the College of Justice, an Ordinary Lord of Session from 1561 until 1584, and notable Scottish poet. He was served heir to his father, Sir William Maitland of Lethington, Haddingtonshire, and Thirlestane, Berwickshire, on 15...
, and his son William Maitlin
William Maitland of Lethington
Sir William Maitland of Lethington was a Scottish politician and reformer, and the eldest son of the poet Richard Maitland....
, Secretary of State to Mary, Queen of Scots'. The Maitlands left Lennoxlove in the 17th century, and it is now the seat of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon.
The world's earliest surviving records of a lodge of free gardeners
Order of Free Gardeners
The Order of Free Gardeners is a fraternal society that was founded in Scotland in the middle of the 17th Century and later spread to England and Ireland. Like numerous other friendly societies of the time, its principal aim was the sharing of knowledge—secrets—linked to the profession...
come from Haddington, in 1676.
St Mary's Collegiate Church
The Parish Church of St Mary's is today part of the Church of ScotlandChurch of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
, but includes an Episcopalian
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
chapel, the Lauderdale Aisle, containing the mausoleum of the Maitland Earls of Lauderdale
Earl of Lauderdale
Earl of Lauderdale is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1624 for John Maitland, 2nd Lord Maitland of Thirlestane, Berwickshire. The second Earl was created Duke of Lauderdale but died without male issue when the dukedom became extinct. The earldom passed to his brother Charles,...
. It is the longest parish church in Scotland and is in regular use for worship and musical events. It is directly adjacent to the river Tyne, beside the 12th century Nungate bridge.
The present building (built with red sandstone from nearby Garvald
Garvald
Garvald can refer to:* Garvald, East Lothian* Garvald, Scottish Borders* Garvald, South Lanarkshire...
) was started in 1375 (an earlier St Mary's Church having been destroyed by the English in 1356), and consecrated in 1410, despite building work not being finished until 1487. The church was partially destroyed during the 1548-49 Siege of Haddington that followed the Rough Wooing of Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
, and on the advice of John Knox
John Knox
John Knox was a Scottish clergyman and a leader of the Protestant Reformation who brought reformation to the church in Scotland. He was educated at the University of St Andrews or possibly the University of Glasgow and was ordained to the Catholic priesthood in 1536...
, it was restored "frae the tower to the West door". Thus the nave became the church and the choir and transepts were left ruined until the whole church was restored in the 1970s. The Lammermuir pipe organ
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
was built in 1990.
A set of eight bells hung for full change ringing was installed for the Millennium
Millennium
A millennium is a period of time equal to one thousand years —from the Latin phrase , thousand, and , year—often but not necessarily related numerically to a particular dating system....
.
Sport and Leisure
Haddington is home to the juniorScottish Junior Football Association
The Scottish Junior Football Association is an affiliated national association of the Scottish Football Association and is the governing body for the Junior grade of football in Scotland. The term "Junior" refers to the level of football played...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club Haddington Athletic
Haddington Athletic F.C.
Haddington Athletic F.C. are a Scottish junior football club based in Haddington, the county town of East Lothian.The club play in the SJFA East Region. For the 2011–12 season, the club will compete in the South Division in the third tier of the East league setup.Nicknamed the Hi-Hi, The club...
.
Haddington is also home to Haddington RFC
Haddington RFC
Haddington Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team based in Haddington, East Lothian.Founded in 1911, the team plays its home games at Neilson Park and compete in Premiership Division Three....
, currently playing in Scotland Premiership Division Three.
Haddington is also famous for its Rugby, with the Under 18 Colts being one of the best teams in Scotland and frequently chosen by foreign touring teams to test their skills against. They have gained a reputation with other local towns for being an aggressive, physical and feared team to play.
The town's thriving pipe band (www.haddingtonpipeband.co.uk) was formed in 1981. It is dedicated to promoting piping and drumming in East Lothian and supporting community events. In November 2009, the band was selected as the Scottish Pipe Band of the Year at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.
Transport
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
with London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The town is currently served by the bus companies First, Perrymans and Eve Coaches. These buses allow travel to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed or simply Berwick is a town in the county of Northumberland and is the northernmost town in England, on the east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It is situated 2.5 miles south of the Scottish border....
, and other towns and villages in East Lothian
East Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
. First Scotland East have also recently taken over the 123 Gifford Circle service from Prentice Coaches. The result of the changeover means buses to/from Gifford are being cut and no late night services will be provided, the same is true on the other local 121 service. The town service previously included in 123 timetable is being completely cut. Haddington was served by a railway branch line which carried passengers from 1846 until 1949.
The Railway
The Haddington railway lineHaddington Line
The Haddington Line was a long railway line which branched from the East Coast Main Line at Longniddry and terminated at Haddington. This line was operative from 1846 until 1968.-Brief Information:...
was a branch from the East Coast Main Line
East Coast Main Line
The East Coast Main Line is a long electrified high-speed railway link between London, Peterborough, Doncaster, Wakefield, Leeds, York, Darlington, Newcastle and Edinburgh...
at Longniddry
Longniddry
Longniddry is a village in East Lothian, Scotland, with a population of 2,613 .Longniddry is primarily a dormitory village for commuters to Edinburgh, with good transport links by road and rail to the capital...
and terminated with a railway station and freight depot in the area between West Road and Hospital Road. The line was 4.8 miles in length
and had stations at Coatyburn Siding and Laverocklaw Siding before terminating in Haddington. The line was opened on the 22nd of June 1846. The branch had only a single track, though bridges and embankments were built to allow for a double track. Passengers from Haddington were required to alight at Longniddry and change trains in order to travel to Edinburgh.
The Haddington branch line and station were damaged during the flood of 1948 and though both passenger and freight services were reinstated, British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
opted to remove rail services to the public due to competition from bus services and dwindling passenger numbers. Passenger services ended on the 29th of December 1949. The use of the railway line for freight continued to March 1968.
The larger Victorian station building was demolished, however a smaller older building, parts of the platform structure, and embankment walls remain. These are recognisable by their distinctive red-brick appearance, and can be seen from West Road, Somnerfield Court, and the industrial area south of Hospital Road.
The land occupied by Haddington's railway line is owned by East Lothian Council and is used by walkers, cyclists and horse-riders in the section of the line between Longniddry station and the St Lawrence area of Haddington. The eastern terminus of the line is occupied by industrial units and scrub vegetation. A campaign to reopen Haddington’s railway service is led by the group RAGES (Rail Action Group East of Scotland). Since the closure of the station in the 1940s (isolated as it then was at the western extremity of Haddington), the town has expanded significantly. Between 1951 and 1981 the population of the town grew by 54 per cent. It remains to be seen whether further expansion of the town will lead to a reinstatement of Haddington's rail service, since there are congestion issues on both the East Coast Main Line
East Coast Main Line
The East Coast Main Line is a long electrified high-speed railway link between London, Peterborough, Doncaster, Wakefield, Leeds, York, Darlington, Newcastle and Edinburgh...
and at Edinburgh Waverley railway station.
Historical Timeline
- Before 1139 - Haddington granted burgh charters, transferred to Ada de WarenneAda de WarenneAda de Warenne was the Anglo-Norman wife of Henry of Scotland, Earl of Northumbria and Earl of Huntingdon. She was the daughter of William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey by Elizabeth of Vermandois, and a great-granddaughter of Henry I of France...
, as a marriage portion, by her father-in-law David I in that year. - 1178 – Cistercian abbey founded by Countess Ada. St Martin’s Kirk in the Nungate built around or before this year; the oldest standing building in Haddington today.
- 1198 – King Alexander II of ScotlandAlexander II of ScotlandAlexander II was King of Scots from1214 to his death.-Early life:...
is born in Haddington - 1216 – Haddington is burnt by the English under King JohnJohn of EnglandJohn , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
. Scottish royal family vacate the Palace of Haddington. - 1242 - Murder of Padraig, Earl of AthollPadraig, Earl of AthollPadraig or Patrick of Atholl was Mormaer of Atholl, from 1236/7 until 1241. The Chronicle of Melrose tells us that while he was lodging in Haddington, East Lothian, his enemies, "most wicked men," torched his lodging, killing both him and his two unknown companions...
following a tournament in the town, by members of Clan BissettClan BissettClan Bissett is a Scottish clan of Anglo-Norman origin. It does not have a clan chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, therefore the clan has no standing under Scots Law...
. - 1282 – First mention of a bridge spanning the Tyne.
- 1297 - Haddington burnt by the retreating Scots army
- 1356 - The town is sacked by the army of Edward III of EnglandEdward III of EnglandEdward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
. - 1358 – Flood reportedly washes away the Nungate.
- 1375 – Work begins on rebuilding St Mary’s – in GarvaldGarvald, East LothianGarvald, is a village south of Haddington in East Lothian, Scotland. The combined parish of Garvald and Bara, borders Whittingehame to the East, Morham to the North, Yester to the West, and Lauder to the South. It is mainly an agricultural parish...
red sandstone. - 1429 – King’s Wall surrounding town is mentioned. Implies early if not continuous fortification of the town.
- 1462 – Work on the building of St Mary’s Church is completed.
- 1548 – 7 July – Signing of the Treaty of Haddington. This was a treaty made during the English occupation of the town. The Scottish Parliament convened in the Abbey and agreed to transport Mary Queen of Scots to France for her marriage to the French heir.
- 1676 – The ‘Ancient Fraternity of Gardeners of East Lothian’ is established – the oldest such fraternity known.
- 1688 – Rev. John Gray founds a town library.
- 1748 – Haddington’s new Town Hall is built; to a design of William Adam
- 1770 – Episcopal Church built in Church Street.
- 1775 – 4 October – Tyne reportedly rises seventeen feet above its ordinary level.
- 1817 – Building of the Waterloo Bridge near the Poldrate Mill. The foundation stone was laid on the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, hence the naming of the bridge.
- 1830 – Spire added to the tower of the Town Hall.
- 1846 – 22 June – Haddington’s railway station opens to the public.
- 1854 – Building of the Corn Exchange. This is reputedly the second largest Corn Exchange in Scotland, after Edinburgh.
- 1862 – Catholic church of St Mary is built.
- 1941– 3 March – German bombers damage town.
- 1948 – 6 to 12 August – Flood damages town. Much of the town under water.
- 1949 – 5 December – Closure of Haddington’s railway station to the public.
- 1973 – Completion of the re-roofing of the choir & renovation of St Mary’s Church. This part of the church was damaged during the siege of Haddington (1547–1549) and left ruinous when the church was restored following the siege.
Notable people
- Ada de WarenneAda de WarenneAda de Warenne was the Anglo-Norman wife of Henry of Scotland, Earl of Northumbria and Earl of Huntingdon. She was the daughter of William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey by Elizabeth of Vermandois, and a great-granddaughter of Henry I of France...
, Countess of NorthumbriaEarl of NorthumbriaEarl of Northumbria was a title in the Anglo-Danish, late Anglo-Saxon, and early Anglo-Norman period in England. The earldom of Northumbria was the successor of the ealdormanry of Bamburgh, itself the successor of an independent Bernicia. Under the Norse kingdom of York, there were earls of...
and HuntingdonEarl of HuntingdonEarl of Huntingdon is a title which has been created several times in the Peerage of England. The title is associated with the ruling house of Scotland, and latterly with the Hastings family.-Early history:...
(1120–1178), Mother of Malcolm IV and William the Lion, Kings of Scots. Founded the Nunnery for which the Nungate is named. - Alexander IIAlexander II of ScotlandAlexander II was King of Scots from1214 to his death.-Early life:...
- (1198–1249), King of Scotland from 1214 until 1249. - Walter BowerWalter BowerWalter Bower , Scottish chronicler, was born about 1385 at Haddington, East Lothian.He was abbot of Inchcolm Abbey from 1418, was one of the commissioners for the collection of the ransom of James I, King of Scots, in 1423 and 1424, and in 1433 one of the embassy to Paris on the business of the...
- (1385–1449), abbot of Inchcolm AbbeyInchcolm AbbeyInchcolm Abbey is a medieval abbey located on the island of Inchcolm in the Firth of Forth in Scotland. The Abbey, which is located at the centre of the island, was founded in the 12th century during the episcopate of Gregoir, Bishop of Dunkeld. Later tradition placed it back in the reign of King...
& early historian ( author of ScotichroniconScotichroniconThe Scotichronicon is a 15th-century chronicle or legendary account, by the Scottish historian Walter Bower. It is a continuation of historian-priest John of Fordun's earlier work Chronica Gentis Scotorum beginning with the founding of Scotland of mediaeval legend, by Scota with Goídel...
; completed in 1447) - John BrownJohn Brown (theologian)John Brown of Haddington , was a Scottish divine and author. His works include “The Self-Interpreting Bible”, “The Dictionary of the Bible”, and “A General History of the Christian Church”.-Career:...
, known as John Brown of Haddington - (1722–1787), theologian and author of The Self-interpreting Bible (known as 'Brown's Bible') and A Dictionary of the Holy Bible. Became minister in Haddington in 1751 and is buried in the churchyard of St Mary's. - Samuel Morison BrownSamuel Morison BrownSamuel Morison Brown , Scottish chemist, poet and essayist, born at Haddington, East Lothian, was the fourth son of Samuel Brown, the founder of itinerating libraries, and grandson of John Brown, author of the Self-Interpreting Bible. In 1832 he entered the university of Edinburgh, where, after...
- (1817–1856), chemist and writer, grandson of John Brown, born in Haddington. - Finlay CalderFinlay CalderFinlay Calder is a Scottish former rugby union player.Born in Haddington, East Lothian and educated at Stewart's Melville College, Calder played at open side flanker and won 34 caps representing Scotland from 1986-91. He captained the British Lions tour to Australia in 1989...
(1957- ) - Scottish rugby player born in Haddington. - Jim Calder (rugby player)Jim Calder (rugby player)James Hamilton Calder is a former international rugby union player. In 1983 he toured New Zealand with the British Lions and at the time played club rugby for Stewart's Melville FP. His international debut came in 1981 aged 21 against France. Scotland were on the receiving end of a 16-9 loss...
(1957- ) - Scottish rugby player born in Haddington. - Jane Welsh CarlyleJane Welsh CarlyleJane Welsh Carlyle was the wife of essayist Thomas Carlyle and has been cited as the reason for his fame and fortune. She was most notable as a letter-writer. In 1973, G.B...
- (1801–1866), wife of the writer Thomas CarlyleThomas CarlyleThomas Carlyle was a Scottish satirical writer, essayist, historian and teacher during the Victorian era.He called economics "the dismal science", wrote articles for the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, and became a controversial social commentator.Coming from a strict Calvinist family, Carlyle was...
, daughter of a local doctor. She was buried next to her father in the choir of St Mary's Church, at that time still ruined. - William George GilliesWilliam George GilliesSir William George Gillies was a renowned Scottish landscape and still life painter.Gillies was born in Haddington, East Lothian; he studied at Edinburgh College of Art and taught there after graduation for over 40 years. He was principal of the College from 1959 until his retirement in 1966...
(1898–1973) - painter born in the High Street. Student and later principal of the Edinburgh College of ArtEdinburgh College of ArtEdinburgh College of Art is an art school in Edinburgh, Scotland, providing tertiary education in art and design disciplines for over two thousand students....
, several of his works are in the Talbot Rice GalleryTalbot Rice GalleryThe Talbot Rice Gallery is part of the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland and was established in 1975. It takes its name from David Talbot Rice, the Watson Gordon Professor of Fine Art at the University of Edinburgh from 1934–1972....
in the University of EdinburghUniversity of EdinburghThe University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
. - John Gray (1646–1717) - preacher, scholar and book collector, was born and died in Haddington. He assembled an important library of early printed books which was sold to the National Library of ScotlandNational Library of ScotlandThe National Library of Scotland is the legal deposit library of Scotland and is one of the country's National Collections. It is based in a collection of buildings in Edinburgh city centre. The headquarters is on George IV Bridge, between the Old Town and the university quarter...
in 1961. - Bruce Robert Howard (born 2 May 1961), better known as Dr. Robert of 1980s pop band The Blow MonkeysThe Blow MonkeysThe Blow Monkeys are a British new wave band that formed in 1981 as a new wave-oriented act. The first single, "Live Today Love Tomorrow" was released in 1982. They subsequently recorded more commercial pop rock hit makers, and finally became a dance group, shortly before splitting up at the...
, born in Haddington. - John KnoxJohn KnoxJohn Knox was a Scottish clergyman and a leader of the Protestant Reformation who brought reformation to the church in Scotland. He was educated at the University of St Andrews or possibly the University of Glasgow and was ordained to the Catholic priesthood in 1536...
(1505, 1513 or 1514–1572) - great Protestant reformer born (probably in Nungate on the east bank of the River Tyne, opposite St Mary's) and educated in the town. - James Lauder (d.1696), M.A., Sheriff-Clerk, Provost, Commissioner to Parliament, and Commissioner to the Convention of Burghs, and M.P., for Haddington. On 7 March 1678 a Supplication (application) was made to the Privy Council by James Lauder, Sheriff-Clerk of Haddington, and two colleagues, to establish a stage-coach service between Haddington and Edinburgh, with two coaches, for seven years. In August 1690 he was said to be responsible for the celebrated escape from his house by two prisoners, of the Seton family, because as a Baillie he was required to attend Church.
- David de Lindsay of the ByresDavid de Lindsay of the ByresDavid de Lindsay the younger, also called David Lindsay of the Byres , was a 13th century Scottish knight and crusader. A minor baronial lord of a family of English origin, he was the son of David de Lindsay and held lands in East Lothian. He became Justiciar of Lothian under Alexander II of...
, 13th century Scottish crusader. - John MairJohn MairJohn Mair was a Scottish philosopher, much admired in his day and an acknowledged influence on all the great thinkers of the time. He was a very renowned teacher and his works much collected and frequently republished across Europe...
(also known as Haddingtonus Scotus) (1467–1550) - Scottish philosopher, friend of Erasmus and teacher of CalvinJohn CalvinJohn Calvin was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism. Originally trained as a humanist lawyer, he broke from the Roman Catholic Church around 1530...
, Ignatius Loyola, John Knox, and other Scottish Protestant ReformersProtestant ReformersProtestant Reformers were those theologians, churchmen, and statesmen whose careers, works, and actions brought about the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century...
including the Protestant martyr Patrick HamiltonPatrick HamiltonPatrick Hamilton is the name of:*Patrick Hamilton of Kincavil , Scottish nobleman*Patrick Hamilton , Scottish Protestant reformer and son of the above*Patrick Hamilton , Church of Scotland minister and poet...
and the humanist and Latin stylist George BuchananGeorge Buchanan (humanist)George Buchanan was a Scottish historian and humanist scholar. He was part of the Monarchomach movement.-Early life:...
. He held many University and government positions. - Adam SkirvingAdam SkirvingAdam Skirving was a Scottish song writer. He became a farmer at Garleton Castle, near Haddington, and died in April 1803. He was buried at Athelstaneford...
(1719–1803) - song writer, author of the famous JacobiteJacobitismJacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
song Hey, Johnnie Cope, Are Ye Waking Yet?Hey, Johnnie Cope, Are Ye Waking Yet?Hey, Johnnie Cope, are Ye Waking Yet?, also Hey Johnnie Cope, are you awake yet?, Heigh! Johnnie Cowp, are ye wauken yet?, or simply "Johnny Cope" is a Scottish folk song....
, was born in Haddington, farmed at GarletonGarleton CastleGarleton Castle is a courtyard castle, dating from the sixteenth century, about north of Haddington, just north of the Garleton Hills in East Lothian, Scotland.-Structure:...
, and was buried at AthelstanefordAthelstanefordAthelstaneford is a village in East Lothian, Scotland. It is close to the town of Haddington and lies approximately 20 miles east of Edinburgh. The village is also known locally as Elshingford....
. - Samuel SmilesSamuel Smiles-Early life:Born in Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, the son of Samuel Smiles of Haddington and Janet Wilson of Dalkeith, Smiles was one of eleven surviving children. The family were strict Cameronians, though when Smiles grew up he was not one of them...
(1812–1904) - social reformer and author of Self Help (1859), lived in the High Street. - Willie Wood MBE (1938- ) - bowls player who took part in a record seven Commonwealth GamesCommonwealth GamesThe Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
and won two gold medals was born in Haddington and grew up in nearby GiffordGifford, East LothianGifford is a village in the parish of Yester in East Lothian, Scotland. It lies approximately 4 miles south of Haddington and 25 miles east of Edinburgh.-History:...
. - FishFish (singer)Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
(1958—), rock singer, has lived in Haddington since he left MarillionMarillionMarillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
in 1988. - Callum BoothCallum BoothCallum Booth is a Scottish footballer who currently plays as a left back for Scottish Premier League club Hibernian. Booth, who joined Hibs aged 10, played for a Hibs youth team that won a league and cup double in 2009...
(1991—), professional footballer, grew up in Haddington. - Danny HandlingDanny HandlingDanny Handling is a Scottish footballer who currently plays for Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.-Hibernian:He made his first team debut as a substitute against Aberdeen on 14 May 2011. He became the fourth-youngest person to play for Hibs, with only Jamie McCluskey, Jimmy O'Rourke and Joe...
(1994—), professional footballer, grew up in Haddington.
External links
- Town history
- Haddington Community Council
- RAGES page on re-opening Haddington's railway line
- Town & Visitor Information - visitoruk.com page
- Visit East Lothian page on St Mary's Parish Church
- Haddington Farmers Market
55.955621°N 2.778815°W