The Yester Papers: all human life is here
March 21 @ 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm
The Society is delighted to present this talk by Eric Glendinning at 2.30 PM, Saturday, 21st March, 2026.
Please note that the venue will be at Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Haddington, EH41 3EX
Eric Glendinning
Our speaker was born and schooled in Hawick, a former pupil of our late President Stephen Bunyan. He studied history at Edinburgh. His professional life was in education, working in Tanzania, Norway and Nepal. For the 20 years leading to retirement he was Director of the Institute for Applied Language Studies at the University of Edinburgh. He is currently working with colleagues from Haddington’s History Society on the 800 year history of Gimmers Mills, Haddington.
Talk summary
The Yester papers are the archives of the Marquises of Tweeddale, formerly held at Yester House but now in the National Library of Scotland. They cover a period roughly from 1600 to 1914. The collection is vast. It includes documents on matters of state, local affairs, the management of the estate, family events and day to day living through the centuries. Letters from an Eton schoolboy, a fragment of autobiography, a bill for prodigious quantities of alcohol, and much more feature.
This lecture will include brief extracts under the headings: Events, Women (their place in the archive), Porridge (the role of oatmeal in the Scottish economy), Innovation, Letters home, A troublesome priest, and Celebrations.
Members can expect a fascinating exploration into life on the Yester estate over the centuries.
For any enquiries contact: info@eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk
Non members welcome with a modest cash donation appreciated
Church parking is limited to Blue Badge holders plus otherwise mobility compromised
Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No: SC052295