Welcome to East Lothian Antiquarians

Our transactions are an important part of the society’s contribution to East Lothian. 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.

Stephen Bunyan

President

The SOE at Belhaven Hill – on Zoom 8th April 2021

Early in WW2, the school was evacuated from Belhaven Hill, and the building was requisitioned by the War Department. It became a special training school for the Special Operations executive (SOE). The SOE was established by Winston Churchill soon after Dunkirk, with...
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Spanning the Centuries – the Union Bridge 1820-2020

A review of the book, by Stephen Bunyan This handsome volume tells the story of the Union Chain Bridge built to cross the Tweed by Captain Samuel Brown a few miles from Berwick on Tweed, between Horncliffe and Fishwick. The book does much more than that. It...
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Christmas Message from the Chairman

I should like to wish you a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year, after what can only be called an annus horribilis 2020. It has been frustrating to feel we have had to abandon a year’s programme. We are continuing preparation of volume XXXIII of the Transactions and...
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Volume 32 of the East Lothian Antiquarian’s Transactions is now online

A review of Volume 32 of the East Lothian Antiquarian and Field Naturalists’s Society Transactions penned by Don Martin was published in the Spring 2020 edition of Scottish Local History. We can announce that the volume is now available to download, along with...
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The Improvers and Beltondod

I gave a university extra mural lecture on the Improvers and Beltondod in Dunbar in 1978 and repeated it in East Linton in 1986. I outlined the situation in Scotland and went on to consider the situation in East Lothian which was reputedly the most progressive area in...
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About ELAFNS

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

Our Publications

The entire publications archive, 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 All our Past Publications

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Join Us

Joining is easy

Members will get a chance to visit places which are not often open to the general public.

The subscription is excellent value. In 1924 it was 5/- pa, which in today’s terms was £30/pa and equivalent to the pay of 2 days skilled labour.

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.

JOIN NOW

Membership benefits

INDIVIDUAL

£15/annual
  • 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

best value
£20/annual
  • 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

The Fourth Statistical Account of East Lothian

In 1997 ELAFNS, in a consortium with the eleven local history societies of East Lothian and the Council’s Library Service, 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.

BROWSE EL4.ORG.UK

East Lothian Events & Lectures

Past Outings

Visit to Marchmont House

Jul 15, 2019

The July outing of the Society saw members visit Marchmont House near Greenlaw in the Scottish Borders. The house is...

Outing to Portmore Gardens

Jul 15, 2019

Members enjoyed their first outing of the summer with a visit to Portmore Gardens at Eddlestone near Peebles. Once...

Guided Walk Around East Linton

May 28, 2019

Saturday 3rd August. A guided walk round the historic village of East Linton with Garry Menzies This historic town...

Outings are members only events.

Events & Lectures

East Lothian Place Names

Feb 9, 2020

Members of the East Lothian Antiquarian and Field Naturalists Society gathered at the Maitlandfield House Hotel on 8th...

Lectures are open to the public, subject to a small admission charge.

Members Forum

The Improvers and Beltondod

Oct 17, 2020

I gave a university extra mural lecture on the Improvers and Beltondod in Dunbar in 1978 and repeated it in East...

Prestonpans West Kirkyard

Mar 12, 2020

On the south side of the High Street Prestonpans (NT384 743) lies the West Kirkyard. Entered by a central double...

We welcome informative contributions to the website from all members.

ELAFNS

East Lothian Antiquarian & Field Naturalists Society, SC007701
Registered Charity from 06 November 1953
© East Lothian Antiquarian & Field Naturalists’ Society