East Linton

East Linton is a town in East Lothian, Scotland, situated on the River Tyne and A199 road (former A1 road) five miles east of Haddington, with a population of 1,774 (Census 2001). (In 1881 it had a population of 1,928).

East Linton probably gets its name from the Linn (a waterfall) on the river next to the village, although Martine adds that it was called East Linton to distinguish it from West Linton in Peebleshire when the railways were built.

Today it has only one active church - Prestonkirk Parish Church (rebuilt 1770), also the name of the parish, but formerly had a free church (St Andrew's), a Roman Catholic church, and a Methodist hall. The clock on St Andrew's former Church was put in by the village to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee; it was named Jessie after a local lass when some village lads climbed into the steeple and christened it. The name has remained ever since. There has long been a school in the town, and the mid-Victorian schoolmaster in East Linton was a George Pringle Smith (d.1850).

There is a fountain in the town square which has 4 cherubs and lights on top.

Preston Mill, an old watermill, is on the outskirts. There has been a mill on the site since 1599, and it is still working. Attached to the watermill is a kiln, with a cowl of local design.

Following the closure of the branch railway line to Haddington in 1949, the fine Victorian station on the East Coast main line at East Linton became the next closest for that burgh. Though main line trains still thunder through at high speed, East Linton station was closed in 1964 and is now used as a residence. Prior to the coming of the North British Railway, the mail coaches changed horses at the Douglas Inn, opposite the distillery in East Linton.

A surviving relic of East Linton's past importance as an agricultural centre is a timber octagonal auction mart for cattle, pigs and sheep in Station Road.

Civil engineer John Rennie (1761-1821) was born here, at Phantassie on Dunbar Road. He died at his home in London while working on the London Bridge project, a bridge he designed. The work was completed by his sons, George and Sir John Rennie.

The East Linton Community Website has more information at www.eastlinton.uk.com The East Linton Community Hall Website has information on activities at the Hall www.eastlintonhall.com