Here’s our January 2025 poser. We’ll post it as usual on our own HHS Facebook page and also Old Haddingtonshire FB page
Question
Where is this building in Haddington, once the property of the Wemyss Estate? What was its function and what other examples can you find in the town?
Answer
This building is on the Dunbar Road on the sharp bend just after National Tyres. This was the north-east port toll house sometimes called Goatfield Cottage.
Toll houses, sometimes known as turnpikes after the gate that controlled the use of the road, were set up by turnpike trusts formed to improve the road system in Britain. An Act of Parliament was required to form a trust. The trusts were charged to improve the road, acquire more land where necessary and to appoint toll keepers to raise the revenue needed. These positions were auctioned. The peak period for this activity was from 1750 to 1770.
In addition to this survivor, Wood’s map of 1819 shows toll houses at the West Port, Rosehall, Briery Bauk, and the Nungate. Two more toll houses were built in the village of St Laurence House. The first one was built in 1750 (now called Minto Cottage) that was closed in 1754, and a second built in 1835 now called St Lawrence Cottage..
The old toll cottages in the Nungate are opposite the site of the Nungate toll.
Surviving toll houses can be recognised by their position very close to the roadway often with a bay window to allow the keeper to monitor the traffic.
John Grey Centre website has an interesting article on turnpikes and an image of a Haddington toll ticket of 1808.
You may be interested to know that one of our members, Jim Westcott, will be publishing his book, “The Lost Village of St Laurence House” this year, which includes a chapter on the history of East Lothian turnpike roads.
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