Tranent

History

The name is thought to be of Brythonic origin, possibly containing the elements Tre and Nant, meaning town over the stream Travernant.

Tranent was once an important mining town, and coal was first worked there 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 and more especially Edinburgh.

The Massacre of Tranent took place in 1797, when local people were killed by soldiers after protesting against conscription into the British Army. One of the 12 victims Jackie Crookston is depicted on the memorial that commemorates the dead in Civic Square.

In connection with the annual commemoration of the Battle of Prestonpans, which originally was called the battle of Gladsmuir then named the battle of Tranent before many decades later being renamed the battle of Prestonpans there are plans to recreate a small portion of the Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway.

There is a long history of settlement in Tranent, perhaps dating back to pre history. There area number of historic buildings in and around the town including the old parish church, parts of which are 15th century while a few miles southwest of the town stands Fa'side Castle, sometimes known as Falside or Fawside, a 14th-century L-shaped tower house.

Industry

Coal was first mined in Tranent Parish, when Robert de Quincy granted rights in the early 13th century, to the monks of Newbattle to mine at Prestoungrange, which was then part of that parish. Soon many wealthy families in the parish joined the rush to mine coal. Heughs (surface mines), were being cut throughout the area. Longniddry, St. Germains, Fa'side, Ormiston (much later town) and Elphinstone, all parts of old Tranent had their own collieries and for the next 750 years, the industry prospered. Other industries grew to employ increasing populations. Distilleries, Breweries, Tanneries and metal implement works. Quarries opened providing stone for homes. Farming was modernised and mills opened th provide food. the 19th century saw a slowdown in industrial growth and gradually industry centralised and moved to larder centres. The coal industry had peaked and the 20th century brought about a slow but terminal decline. The last large, deep mine closed in 1961 then the opencast mine at Blindwells closed in 2000.

Literature

William Dunbar's poem the Lament for the Makaris includes the name Clerk of Tranent as a poet probably of the fifteenth century, citing him as author of the Anteris of Gawain. Some examples of such works exist but his has not been traced.

Shops & supermarkets

The town has an Asda Supermarket, a small Co-op Food and a larger Aldi Store which is the largest in East Lothian and the second largest in Scotland. The towns high street includes a small array of shops including Thomsons convenience store an off license Premier store, a Farmfoods branch and a Day-Today Shop

Sport & leisure

The town has many football pitches, astroturf and rugby pitches. The town is also home to 4 children's play-parks. There are also 3 bookmakers – Ladbrokes, Coral, and William Hill. The town's leisure centre "The Loch Centre" has a swimming pool, gym and sports halls.

Banking & finance

The town has an RBS branch and a TSB branch.

Other amenities

Tranent is home to two pharmacies a Well Pharmacy and a Lloyds Pharmacy These pharmacies serve the local GP practice which is the responsibility of NHS Lothian The nearest Hospitals include The Roodlands General Hospital in Haddington which is a community hospital which offers general medical and geriatric rehabilitation services to patients in East Lothian. It also provides older people’s services, including continuing care for the elderly and the nearest Accident and Emergency Hospital is the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

Schools

The town is home to three primary schools and one secondary school. The primary schools are; (largest to smallest) Windygoul Primary School, Sanderson's Wynd Primary School and St Martins Primary School. The secondary school Ross High School, Tranent established in 1954 accommodates over 950 pupils from Tranent and villages around the area; these are Macmerry, Ormiston, Humbie, Elphinstone, Pencaitland, and Saulton. The head teacher of Ross High School is Paul Reynolds.

Learning

In October 2012 a new council building was opened under the name of The George Johnston Centre which is named in honour of the miner who saved the lives of more than 50 men at Fleets Pit, Tranent, when the mine flooded in 1929. The men took five hours to find an alternative way out, but all were rescued and survived thanks to the early warning given by George Johnstone. The building accommodates a range of services including, a large library with a computer area and council offices allowing local residents to access housing and tenancy advice, report a housing repair, report minor crime to Police Scotland and make council tax and rent payments and general enquiries. The building is run by East Lothian Council.

Football

The local football team is Tranent Juniors F.C. who won the Scottish Junior Cup in 1934/35, being the runners up 2 seasons before. The Juniors play their football at Foresters Park in the centre of the town.

Rugby

The Ross High Rugby Football Club currently play in the RBS East Regional League Division 1 and play their home games at Blawearie Road, adjacent to the Ross High School.

Cricket

The local club is Tranent Cricket Club which was established in 2010. The club currently plays in the East of Scotland Cricket Association Divisions 3, 6 and 7. The club has three Saturday league sides, two midweek social sides and a junior section, Tranent Titans. Tranent CC are the current holders of the East Lothian twenty20 Cup and the East of Scotland Plate.

Media

Tranent is the home of Radio Saltire, Scotland's Online Community Radio Station. Its studios are on Civic Square.

Notable residents

Places of interest