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.
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
This search tool will retrieve content from our print publications and is powered by Google technologies. Searches can be modified with refinements. Images are also retrieved.
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.
Membership benefits
INDIVIDUAL
- 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- 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
- 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.
East Lothian Events & Lectures
Past Outings
Visits to Tyninghame House and East Linton Summer 2019
Visit to Tyninghame House East Linton...
Visit to Marchmont House
The July outing of the Society saw members visit Marchmont House near Greenlaw in the Scottish Borders. The house is...
Outing to Portmore Gardens
Members enjoyed their first outing of the summer with a visit to Portmore Gardens at Eddlestone near Peebles. Once...
Guided Walk Around East Linton
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
Members of the East Lothian Antiquarian and Field Naturalists Society gathered at the Maitlandfield House Hotel on 8th...
Liz Curtis – “East Lothian’s place-names: A journey through time.” Saturday 8th Feb 2020
Please note the change of date to: Saturday 8th Feb 2020 Liz will present an illustrated talk outlining how East...
Stephanie Leith – “St Martin’s Church, Haddington” – Saturday 14th March 2020
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE TO THE 14TH MARCH 2020 This well-preserved ruin is a rare survival of a 12th century...
Alister Hadden “A little bit of Wallyford History” – Saturday 23rd November
Saturday 23rd November Alister Hadden “A little bit of Wallyford History” Alister will give an illustrated...
Lectures are open to the public, subject to a small admission charge.
Members Forum
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...
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...
Prestonpans West Kirkyard
On the south side of the High Street Prestonpans (NT384 743) lies the West Kirkyard. Entered by a central double...
St Anne’s Upon Dunbar Sands Stood Nearest to The Sea
The ancient ecclesiastical history of Dunbar is illuminated by an ancient rhyme, but it is confused because there are...
The Society and Haddington House
Haddington House has just undergone extensive refurbishment and restoration and is now available as offices for local...
We welcome informative contributions to the website from all members.
