Whispers of salt and coal linger in the air. Welcome to Preston a small town nestled near Edinburgh. Prestonpans as it’s fully known boasts a history as rich and layered as the Forth Estuary itself. Legend speaks of its founding by shipwrecked travelers in the 11th century. They called their new home Althamer. But it was the Newbattle monks who truly shaped Prestonpans’ destiny. Arriving in the 12th century they established salt pans using coal to boil seawater. This gave birth to the name Prestonpans. Salt and coal became the lifeblood of the town. By the 15th century ten salt works were thriving. They produced hundreds of bushels of salt weekly. But Prestonpans was more than just salt. Coal mining started in 1210 making it arguably Britain’s earliest coal mine. The town also flourished with breweries soap works and a busy harbour at Prestongrange. Fishing and oyster harvesting were lucrative industries.
Prestonpans is inextricably linked to the Battle of Prestonpans. In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army decisively defeated the Hanoverian forces. This pivotal victory boosted Jacobite morale. The battle is commemorated by a modest cairn near the site. A larger monument honours Colonel James Gardiner a Hanoverian officer who died in the battle. His impressive monument stands near Bankton House where he lived. The parish church bears another memorial. It remembers John Stuart of Phisgul barbarously murdered by Highlanders near the battle’s end.
Today Prestonpans lives on. It retains a strong community spirit. The town’s past is vividly depicted in its numerous murals. These colorful works tell the stories of local heroes and pivotal events. The Prestonpans Tapestry a massive embroidered artwork further celebrates the town’s heritage. It recounts the Jacobite rising and the battle. You can explore Preston Tower and its gardens. The tower house once belonged to the Hamilton family. The restored doocot in the gardens is still used by pigeons.
Prestonpans offers a blend of old and new. It is a vibrant community with modern amenities. Yet the echoes of its rich past are ever-present. From its salt pans to the battlefields to its beautiful murals Prestonpans is a fascinating destination. You can see the Mercat Cross one of the few still in its original position in Scotland. It’s a place where history and community intertwine creating a unique atmosphere. So take a moment breathe in the sea air and let the story of Prestonpans weave its magic.