East Saltoun and West Saltoun

East Saltoun and West Saltoun are villages in East Lothian, Scotland. They lie close to Pencaitland, approximately 5 miles south-west of Haddington and 20 miles east of Edinburgh.

History

In the 12th century David I gifted lands in Saltoun to Hugh de Moreville. In 1643 the lands and barony were sold to Andrew Fletcher (grandfather of Andrew Fletcher, the Patriot), and it was the Fletcher family who attempted to make Saltoun a centre of manufacturing in the early 18th century. [ Wyllie, Margaret, "A History of Saltoun and the Fletcher Family", Saltoun, 1986: 9] Most industry was sited in West Saltoun (formerly Milton), on the Birns Water. The first barley mill in Scotland was established there in 1712, and the British Linen Company had bleachfields in West Saltoun in 1746. [ Gifford, John, "East Lothian Villages", East Lothian, 1975]

In the early 19th century the Fletcher family invested further in the parish by helping to pay for a new church, manse and school in East Saltoun, and commissioning additions to Saltoun Hall (near West Saltoun). [Gifford, John, 1975]

By the mid 19th century most of the parish's industries were failing, and the land was given over to agriculture.

East Saltoun

East Saltoun (once known as Kirkton) is the larger of the two villages.

A church dedicated to Saint Michael was first consecrated in 1244, and several church buildings have been used since then. Gilbert Burnet, theologian and Bishop of Salisbury, started his ministry in Saltoun in 1665. The present building dates back to 1805, and is built in the shape of a cross with a Gothic-stlye tower and steeple. [ McWilliam, Colin, "Lothian Except Edinburgh", London, 1978: 200]

West Saltoun

nearby.

Infrastructure

A former branch railway line which linked East and West Saltoun to Gifford, Haddington and ultimately Edinburgh was closed to passengers in 1933 and is now a cycle path.

Notable people

*Gilbert Burnet, theologian and Bishop of Salisbury was minister here from 1665-1669.
*Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, the Scottish patriot was born here in 1653.
*Hugh de Moreville, Lord High Constable of Scotland and friend of David I, owned land in Saltoun.

References

ee also

*Saltoun Parish Church
*List of places in East Lothian