Haddingtonshire Histories: Recent Episodes
HADShire Histories
Haddingtonshire Histories is produced by the Local History Centre of East Lothian Council’s Library Service. Our podcasts feature conversations with expert guests on a variety of East Lothian local history topics. We aim to keep things as light and cheerful as possible and we hope that our listeners will enjoy finding out a little bit about East Lothian’s past. If you have any questions, do email us at history@eastlothian.gov.uk.
In this episode, local author and historian Dr Marie Gilroy MacPherson speaks about the facts and characters from East Lothian’s history that inspired her historical novel series. These include John Knox, Mary of Guise, and Prioress Elizabeth Hepburn. She also shares her opinions on the role of women in history and the importance of learning about and appreciating the different histories around us.
This mini episode highlights incredible women in the historical workforce of East Lothian - female farm workers, fishwives, mine workers, and nurses.
This mini episode highlights some notable women who served as provosts and some who dedicated their lives to charitable activities.
This mini podcast highlights the life of historical East Lothian author, Margaret Oliphant, who was born in Wallyford.
This mini podcast highlights a formidable and courageous figure in the history of East Lothian - Black Agnes of Dunbar.
This mini podcast highlights Jane Welsh Carlyle, a remarkable literary figure from Haddington.
For Black History Month, here is an exclusive interview with Prof. Sir Geoff Palmer, scientist, historian, and human rights activist. Sir Geoff talks about the history of slavery in the West Indies, some East Lothian connections, empire and colonialism, as well as Robert Burns. Listen out for a few notes at the end.
Our host speaks with Dr Jon Cooper, project coordinator of Haddington History Society’s Siege of Haddington Research Group. Dr Cooper explains the history of the Siege, it’s significance to Haddington and East Lothian specifically, as well as Scotland as a whole, and outlines the objectives and activities conducted by the research group.
In this episode, our host has an informal conversation with two guests on the topic of historical crimes, mostly focusing on East Lothian.
The guests are Donna Duff, Senior Librarian of East Lothian Libraries’ Digital & Adult Services, who has done in-depth research on the subject of historical crimes in relation to family history. Joining the chat is Debbie Chalmers-Turnbull, Visitor Services Officer for the John Gray Centre Museum, as well as Prestongrange Museum. Debbie has also done extensive research on crime histories and is an active member of the true crime community, internationally.
The chat revolves around the definition of crime, popular historical types of crimes and methods of punishment, records held at the John Gray Centre, as well as some notable cases connected with East Lothian.
In this episode, we find out a little bit about the remarkable Tranent-Cockenzie Waggonway, which celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2022. This waggonway is possibly the first railway in Scotland. Our host chats with Ed Bethune, chairman of the 1722 Waggonway Heritage Project, and Dr Aaron Allen of Edinburgh University, about the project and the publication of the journal of William Dickson, who helped build the railway.
In this episode, we find out about the displays and objects at Prestongrange Museum, which illustrate the role that Prestonpans played in the industrial heritage of East Lothian. Visitor Services Officers for the Museum speak about the history behind the displays, their experiences and fascinating stories too.
We kick-off Season 2 with a chat on one of the most famous and controversial characters in Scottish history. Dr Amy Blakeway of St Andrews University shares her research based findings and opinions on some key questions relating to Mary, Queen of Scots - her early life, her relationship with Elizabeth 1, her dealings with the Earl of Bothwell, and her connection to East Lothian and the Rough Wooing. Dr Blakeway also speaks about her favourite depiction of Mary.
In this final episode and Season 1 finale, author and local historian Annemarie Allan speaks about her research findings on the witchcraft persecutions that specifically occurred in Prestonpans. Annemarie also shares her thoughts on the significance of the witchcraft scenario to women’s history today.
In this continuing episode, David McKenzie Robertson, speaks about the processes of accusation and punishment of those persecuted for witchcraft in East Lothian. David also highlights some of the more fascinating findings in his research.
Scotland is known for its high rates of witchcraft prosecution in the 16th & 17th centuries, with almost 4000 documented cases and possibly as many as 2500 executions. East Lothian was at the epicentre of the persecution of individuals at this time. Our host speaks with local author and historian Mr David McKenzie Robertson who has researched and published extensively on the subject of witchcraft in East Lothian. In this part, David speaks about the witch panic and highlights some of the more prominent cases in East Lothian/Haddingtonshire.
Dr. Arran Paul Johnston, writer, historian and Director at the Scottish Battlefields Trust speaks to our host about his exhibition, “Hey Johnnie Cope!”, the Battle of Prestonpans (1745), Prince Charlie, all things Jacobites, and even the ‘Outlander’ TV series!
Dr Claire Pannell, the Collections Officer at East Lothian Museum Service, chats about her favourite items in the collection. Claire also explains how museum items are stored and looked after, and mentions some of the other interesting museums in East Lothian.
In this episode, the podcast host and two previous Local History Officers at the John Gray Centre reminisce about some of the more fascinating cases and stories that they have dealt with when helping customers with family history research.
The Old Statistical Accounts of Dunbar, recorded in 1791, mentions 46 licensed ale-houses. This episode covers some fascinating information about Dunbar’s old inns and ale-houses including the history behind their names, the activities of some inn-keepers, and other curious details.
This introductory chat focuses on why the John Gray Centre in Haddington is named after Scottish minister and historical figure John Gray.
A brief description of East Lothian Libraries & Museums history podcast, launching in April 2021.