There are some great local societies in East Lothian offering talks on all sorts of historical topics. We’ll try to keep this list current and hopefully there will be something of interest for you.
29th August – 13th September, East Lothian Archaeology and Heritage Fortnight. Too many great events to list individually so check out the ELAHF website here.
There are still spaces available for upcoming ELAHF events so book early.
3rd September 2026, Shipwreck Archaeology in the Lothians and Beyond, Dan Atkinson, Marine Archaeologist, Haddington’s History Society
9th September 2026, 7pm at Aberlady Kirk Stables: Aberlady Conservation and History Society presents their next monthly talk on the Witches of East Lothian presented by Mary Craig.
17th September 2026 at 7.30pm Dirleton Kirk Hall on An Overview of Medieval Armoury and weaponry from the 11th to 16th centuries presented by Alan Muir. Gullane and Dirleton History Society
3rd October 2026, 7pm at St Mary’s Kirk: Maiden Mother Mage, Final Celebration Performance.
7th October 2026, 7.30pm at Fletcher Hall, East Saltoun: The Rough Wooing and the Siege of Haddington presented by Hugo Clark. The Saltoun Local History Group
13th October 2026 at Dunbar Town House at 7pm (Speaker at 7.30pm) on “Mony coistly abilyeaments for hir body” – The clothes of Mary and her court presented by Jenn Chamberlain. Dunbar History Society
15th October 2026, The ‘Real’ King Arthur, Andrew Breeze, FRHistS, FSA, Author and Historian, Haddington’s History Society
19th November 2026, The Foreign Soldiers in East Lothian WWII, David Haire, Historian, Haddington’s History Society
21st January 2027, The Neolithic in South East Scotland, Alison Sheridan, Archaeologist, National Museums Scotland, Haddington’s History Society
18th February 2027, Mysterious Case of the Stone of Destiny, David Maule, Author, Haddington’s History Society
18th March 2027, Craft and Kirk: Security, Status and Shelter in the Edinburgh Building Trades, Aaron Allen, University of Edinburgh, Haddington’s History Society
15th April 2027, Gaelic in Scotland, Coinneach Maclean, Author and Blue Badge Guide, Haddington’s History Society
Venues
ACHS – Aberlady Conservation and History Society
C&PS – Cockenzie and port Seton Local History Society
CCM – Coastal Communities Museum, North Berwick
ELAF – East Lothian Antiquarian and Field Naturalists’ Society
FJGC – Friends of the John Gray Centre
GDHS – Gullane and Dirleton History Society
HHS – Haddington’s History Society