- Tranent
Tranent is a town in
East Lothian ,Scotland . It is close to the A1 road and approximately 11 miles east ofEdinburgh . It is one of the oldest towns in East Lothian, and built on a gentle slope, about 300 feet above sea level.The name is thought to be of
Brythonic origin, possibly containing the elements "Tre" and "Nant", meaning Town of the Stream.Once an important mining town, coal was first worked in Tranent in the 12th century. The history of coal mining in Scotland is mirrored in the history of the coal heughs, mines and pits of Tranent. Tranent is now a 'commuter' town supporting East Lothian,
Edinburgh and the East of Scotland.It was here that the Tranent Militia Riot and the
Massacre of Tranent took place in 1797, when a number of local people were killed by soldiers after protesting against conscription into the British Army. One of the 12 victims was Jackie Crookston, and there is a statue of her in Civic Square [http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/people/famousfirst365.html] .Local Characters
One of Tranent's most famous sons is actor Gordon Kennedy. Kennedy appeared in the comedy sketch show Absolutely and inserted photographs of Tranent in its sketch based on the bizarre, fictional town of Stoneybridge.
William Dunbar 's poem the "Lament for the Makaris " includes the name "Clerk of Tranent" as a poet probably of thefifteenth century , citing him as author of the "Anteris" "ofGawain ". Some examples of such works exist but his has not been traced.Local History
As part of the 2008 commemoration of the
Battle of Prestonpans , it is planned to recreate a small portion of theTranent to Cockenzie Waggonway [http://www.battleofprestonpans1745.org/prestoungrange/html/news/show_news.asp?newsid=1964] .Places of Interest
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Fa'side Castle ee also
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List of places in East Lothian References
* [http://www.eastlothianmuseums.org/exhibitions/tranent/directory.htm East Lothian Museums/Tranent]
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