Elphinstone, East Lothian

Elphinstone

The remains of Elphinstone Tower
Elphinstone
Elphinstone shown within East Lothian
OS grid reference NT396702
Civil parish
Council area
Lieutenancy area
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town TRANENT
Postcode district EH33
Dialling code 01875
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

Elphinstone is a village in East Lothian, Scotland, UK. It lies two miles south-west of Tranent on the B6414, and one mile north-west of Ormiston.

Located half a mile west of the village, Elphinstone Tower, built in the 13th to 15th century, is a former five-storey tower, now a ruin, with only the lower level remaining. The Elphinstone clan held the lands of Elphinstone in Lothian of which Sir Alexander Seton of that Ilk was Lord: Alexander de Elphinstone, died ca. 1290; John Elphinstone, knight; Alexander Elphinstone of that Ilk; William Elphinstone; William of Elphinstone of that Ilk, knight; Alexander Elphinstone of that Ilk, killed in battle 1436; Henry Elphinstone of Pittendreich.....

The Protestant reformer George Wishart was brought to Elphinstone by Patrick Hepburn, 3rd Earl of Bothwell en route to St Andrews where he was tried and burned at the stake.

Elphinstone Colliery was formerly the main employer in the village; now Inveresk Research International is one of the main employers in the area. Elphinstone Tower Farm produces cereal crops.

The population has been declining, but the village still has basic amenities, including a Primary school, a community centre, a newsagent, and a miner's welfare club.

There is a fairy story about a witch called Meg who is supposed to have been involved in the naming of the village. Meg had servants who were elves and she was cruel to them. One day she went to the burn in between Elphinstone and Ormiston and ate in her carriage, telling her servants not to disturb her. One elf broke into her carriage once she had fell asleep and stole some of her leftovers. Meg, however, awoke and caught him. She took him back to Elphinstone and trapped him in her stone or "Meg's chuck". Hence the name Elph (elf) in stone.


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