Pencaitland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pencaitland (Cymric pen-caeth-llan, 'head of the narrow enclosure') is a village in East Lothian, Scotland, about 16 miles south-east of Edinburgh, and 6 miles south-west of Haddington. The River Tyne divides the village into Easter Pencaitland and Wester Pencaitland, crossed by a three-arched bridge dating from the 16th Century. An ancient cross in Wester Pencaitland indicates that there would probably have been a market there. A large industrial maltings, which was built in 1965, is situated just before the entrance to the village at Wester Pencaitland.
Pencaitland is the location of Winton House, built in the 15th Century by the Setons on land granted to them by David I in c.1152, and mentioned in a charter to them from William the Lion in 1169. It was burnt under the orders of Henry VIII whilst trying to impress the young Mary I of Scotland during the Rough Wooing, and subsequently restored and later enlarged. The Setons' tenure lasted until 1715 when they backed the Jacobites and the Earl of Winton was taken to the Tower of London. The Earl's capture ended an era when kings were entertained and master craftsmen were engaged fresh from Edinburgh Castle to embellish Winton House in the style of the Scottish Renaissance. In the absence of the Earl but in his name, Winton was requisitioned by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745 when his rebel army camped on Winton Estate. It is now the family home of Sir Francis and Lady Ogilvy. Architecturally, Winton is one of the most important houses in Scotland.[citation needed] This is due largely to the work of William Wallace, the King's Master Mason.
The Parish Church of Scotland in Easter Pencaitland contains an Octagonal Belfry. Former Ministers include David Calderwood (1575-1650) and Robert Douglas (1594-1674), one time leader of Scotland's moderate Presbyterians.
The Pencaitland to Ormiston railway walk follows the course of the railway which was closed in 1965.
Pencaitland is also the location of recording studio Castlesound Studios, a former primary school, where the band Orange Juice recorded their first two singles for the Postcard Records label. Simple Minds, Runrig, REM, Martyn Bennett and The Blue Nile have all recorded at Castlesound, in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Located a short distance from the village is Glenkinchie distillery, which produces a fine single malt, marketed by United Distillers as part of their Classic Malts range.
[edit] Famous sons & daughters
- Sir Thomas Dick Lauder of Fountainhall, 7th Baronet.
- Jock Taylor, British World Champion motorcycle sidecar racer, 1954-1982.
[edit] External links
- Winton House
- Castlesound Studios
- Historical data from the Topographical History of Scotland (1846) and the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1903).
| East Lothian Towns & Villages |
|---|
| Aberlady | Athelstaneford | Auldhame & Scoughall | Bolton | Cockenzie and Port Seton | Dirleton | Drem | Dunbar | East Linton | East Saltoun and West Saltoun | Gifford | Gullane | Haddington | Humbie | Kingston | Longniddry | Macmerry | Musselburgh | North Berwick | Oldhamstocks | Ormiston | Pencaitland | Prestonpans | Tranent | Whitekirk | Wallyford |
