Tranent
Tranent
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 Eastbound High Street, Tranent |
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 Tranent
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| Tranent shown within East Lothian | |
| Population | 11,642 |
| OS grid reference | NT404728 |
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| 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 | |
Tranent (Scottish Gaelic: Tranant; online.org/dictionary/read.asp?letter=t&CurPage=50 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. The population of the town is approximately 11,642, an increase of over 3,000 since 1991. Tranent was formally a major mining town but now serves as a commuter town for Edinburgh. Tranent is located within the Edinburgh City Region.
The name is thought to be of Brythonic origin, possibly containing the elements Tre and Nant, meaning town over the stream Travernant.
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.
In connection with the annual commemoration of the Battle of Prestonpans, which originally was called the battle of Gladsmuir then named the battle of Tranent before many decades later being renamed the battle of Prestonpans there are plans to recreate a small portion of the Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway.
There is a long history of settlement in Tranent, perhaps dating back to pre history. There area number of historic buildings in and around the town including the old parish church, parts of which are 15th century while a few miles southwest of the town stands Fa'side Castle, sometimes known as Falside or Fawside, a 14th-century L-shaped tower house.
Coal was first mined in Tranent Parish, when Robert de Quincy granted rights in the early 13th century, to the monks of Newbattle to mine at Prestoungrange, which was then part of that parish. Soon many wealthy families in the parish joined the rush to mine coal. Heughs (surface mines), were being cut throughout the area. Longniddry, St. Germains, Fa'side, Ormiston (much later town) and Elphinstone, all parts of old Tranent had their own collieries and for the next 750 years, the industry prospered. Other industries grew to employ increasing populations. Distilleries, Breweries, Tanneries and metal implement works. Quarries opened providing stone for homes. Farming was modernised and mills opened th provide food. the 19th century saw a slowdown in industrial growth and gradually industry centralised and moved to larder centres. The coal industry had peaked and the 20th century brought about a slow but terminal decline. The last large, deep mine closed in 1961 then the opencast mine at Blindwells closed in 2000.
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Wikipedia