Welcome to East Lothian Antiquarians
Our transactions are an important part of the society’s contribution to East Lothian’s History. Our website is intended to share the wealth of knowledge we have accumulated and encourage wider participation in our passion for our historic and natural heritage.
Newbattle Abbey Visit 18 Sep 2025
A private tour of the Abbey and it’s wonderful gardens. Founded as a Cistercian Monastery in 1140 by King David 1st. It then became the Kerr family home in the…
September 18 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
About ELAFNS – East Lothian History
Founded in 1924 the declared aims were then as they are today:
to study the antiquities of the area, to collect material of interest, to publish relevant articles, to go on appropriate excursions to have lectures and to stimulate general interest in the history of East Lothian
I look forward to seeing you at one of our public talks, member only site visits or ELAFN business meetings, if you want to get involved in developing the programme.
Stephen Bunyan
President
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Recent Updates
- Dunbar Harbour Visit
History, past and current fishing practice and seabirds on Saturday 5th July 2025, 2.00 for 2.30 PM Society visit MEMBERS ONLY Dunbar Harbour is a working harbour, owned and run by a charity, Dunbar Harbour Trust. Our visit… - Guided Tour of Balgone House and Gardens
7th June 2025, 2.30 pm Society visit In the 20th century the house became ruinous but was lovingly restored as their home in the 1990’s by Alan and Fidelity Dean. Our visit is by their kind invitation. Balgone… - Public Talk by Dr James Herring
East Lothian History – Publications Archive
The entire publications archive of East Lothian History, comprising over 40 volumes issued since 1924, has been digitised and made available free of charge providing an invaluable resource for members, researchers and the general public.
Only the most recent Transactions volume requires a full membership.
A good number of the past volumes are now available for purchase, including a number of scarce early issues, also discounted for members.
Search East Lothian’s History – Research Tools
Our website has been augmented with some simple local history research tools that will retrieve content from our print publications and more. Powered by Google technologies, searches can be modified with refinements and images are also retrieved.
Join Us
Are you interested in East Lothian’s local history?
Members will get a chance to visit places which are not often open to the general public.
The subscription is excellent value.
So do join us, we would love to have you as a member.
If you are a UK tax payer don’t forget the Gift Aid form.
Choose a Membership
Individual
£15
- Access to all the online publications
- Purchase back issues
at a strong discount - Access to all the latest publications
- A free copy of the latest transactions
- Guest winter lectures
- Attend site visits subject to numbers
Joint/Family
£20
- Access to all the online publications
- Purchase back issues
at a strong discount - Access to all the latest publications
- A free copy of the latest transactions
- Attend guest speaker winter lectures
- Attend site visits subject to numbers
- Save £5 each on a single membership
Free
£0
- Access to all the online publications
- Purchase back issues (no discount)
- Guest winter lectures
for a small fee
The Fourth Statistical Account
In 1997 ELAFNS, in a consortium with the eleven East Lothian Local History Societies and the Council’s library service, researched and published seven volumes on the county’s recent economic and social history, spanning the period 1945-2000.
These are on sale through local bookshops and libraries.
With the physical archive material now deposited with East Lothian Council’s Local History Centre in Haddington, the extended digital version has been recently revamped.
