OS grid reference NT665784 Post town DUNBAR Local time Thursday 10:19 AM | Sovereign state United Kingdom Postcode district EH42 Dialling code 01368 | |
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Weather 6°C, Wind SW at 32 km/h, 71% Humidity | ||
Belhaven is a village in East Lothian, Scotland, and was originally the ancient port of Dunbar of which town the village has always been a part. Belhaven takes its name partially from the Biel Water. 'Biel' or 'beil' means "shelter", and other placenames include Belton, Bilsdean, and as in Robert Lauder of Beilmouth.
Contents
Map of Belhaven, Dunbar, UK
Lairds
The non-burghal part of the lands of Belhaven and nearby West Barns belonged to a cadet branch of the famous Lauder of The Bass family, (see Bass Rock), who were often designated Lauder of Belhaven. Sir Robert Lauder of Beilmouth, Knt., (d. 24 June 1709), a Writer (solicitor), Justice of the Peace, and Clerk to the Exchequer, was the first to change his designation from 'of Belhaven & West Barns' to 'of Beilmouth', and had descendants with Jacobite sympathies, his third wife being an Ogilvie. Miller relates that Archibald the eldest son of the last laird, had been captured at Carlisle by the government army and that "a search was made for the laird also a Robert Lauder who, by means of a concealment in his house at Belhaven, evaded discovery till the heat of pursuit was over. He was buried at the foot of the pulpit-stair in Dunbar old church [in 1768]."
The estate of Winterfield north and east of Belhaven was, in 1830, the seat of Captain R. Anderson, Royal Navy.
Industry
In 1806 a spinning mill was erected at Belhaven but closed after a relatively short time of operations. In 1815 a factory for cotton goods was established in the former artillery barracks opposite Winterfield Park, which had been purchased from the government. It gave employment to 250 looms and 550 people, many of whom were Irish immigrants. This industry also closed following the collapse of the East Lothian Bank (1823).
Brewery
Belhaven Brewery is owned by Greene King.
The brewery produces the well known Belhaven Best ale. Several other beers are produced by the brewery which are sold widely throughout Scotland and exported to the USA. .