Tranent
Tranent (Scottish Gaelic: Tranant; Scots: Turnent)[1] is a town in East Lothian (formerly Haddingtonshire), Scotland. It is near the A1 road and about 11 miles (18 km) east of Edinburgh. It is one of the oldest towns in East Lothian, and built on a gentle slope, about 300 feet above sea level. Population of the town is about 10,000 people.
History
The name is thought to be of Brythonic origin, possibly containing the elements Tre and Nant, meaning town of the stream.
Tranent was once an important mining town, and coal was first worked there in the 12th century. The history of coal mining in Scotland is mirrored in the history of the coal heughs, mines and pits of Tranent. Tranent is now a commuter town supporting East Lothian and more especially Edinburgh.
The Massacre of Tranent took place in 1797, when local people were killed by soldiers after protesting against conscription into the British Army. One of the 12 victims Jackie Crookston is depicted on the memorial that commemorates the dead in Civic Square.[2]
In connection with the annual commemoration of the Battle of Prestonpans, there are plans to recreate a small portion of the Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway.[3]
Literature
William Dunbar's poem the Lament for the Makaris includes the name Clerk of Tranent as a poet probably of the fifteenth century, citing him as author of the Anteris of Gawain. Some examples of such works exist but his has not been traced.
Notable residents
- Ian Black, footballer
- Peter Hume Brown, historian
- Alex Marshall (bowls), World Champion bowler
- Gordon Kennedy, actor, Absolutely, inserted photographs of Tranent in its sketch based on the bizarre, fictional town of Stoneybridge.
- David Landles Neilson (Captain of the SS Rohilla lost off Whitby in 1914)[4]
- George McNeill, athlete
- Neil Martin, footballer, three full international caps for Scotland
- Ian McParland, footballer
- Morris Stevenson, footballer
Places of interest
Sport
Football
The local senior football team is Tranent Juniors Football Club who won the Scottish Junior Cup in 1934/35, being the runners up 2 seasons before. The Juniors play their football at Foresters Park in the centre of the town.
Rugby
The Ross High Rugby Football Club currently play in the RBS East Regional League Division 1 and play their home games at Blawearie Road, adjacent to the Ross High School.
Cricket
The local club is Tranent Cricket Club which was established in 2010. The club currently plays in the East of Scotland Cricket Association Divisions 6 and 9. The club has three Saturday league sides, two midweek social sides and a junior section, Tranent Titans. Tranent CC are the current holders of the East Lothian twenty20 Cup.
References
- ↑ The Online Scots Dictionary
- ↑ "Overview of Joan (Jackie) Crookston". Scottish-places.info. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
- ↑ "Baron Courts : News - Restoration Goal for the Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway across which the Battle raged!". Battleofprestonpans1745.org. 16 October 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
- ↑ Ken Wilson (1981). "Wreck of the Rohilla". p. 20.
Coordinates: 55°56′41″N 2°57′15″W / 55.94472°N 2.95417°W