Tranent
Tranent is a town in East Lothian, Scotland. It is close to the A1 road and approximately 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 9,917.
History
The name is thought to be of Brythonic origin, possibly containing the elements Tre and Nant, meaning Town of the Stream.
Once an important mining town, coal was first worked in Tranent 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, Edinburgh and the East of Scotland.
It was here that the Tranent Militia Riot, known as the Massacre of Tranent, took place in 1797, when a number of 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 [1].
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 [2]
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 people
- Gordon Kennedy - the actor appeared in the comedy sketch show Absolutely and inserted photographs of Tranent in its sketch based on the bizarre, fictional town of Stoneybridge.
- Neil Martin - the centre forward enjoyed a distinguished career as a professional footballer and gained three full international caps for Scotland.
- Ian Black - (the son of former player Ian Black) Black was a trainee of Premier League club Blackburn Rovers, and joined Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2004. He made 132 appearances for Caley, and scored 8 goals. His last game for Inverness was against Falkirk in a 1–0 loss for Caley, which relegated them. In the summer of 2009 Hearts confirmed that he had signed an agreement on 28 December and would join up with the club for the 2009–10 season.[2] On 2 July 2009, Black finally signed for Hearts after signing a pre-contract agreement in December 2008.[3] He scored his first goal for Hearts against Falkirk in a 3–2 win.
- Peter Hume Brown (Historian)
- Morris Stevenson (Footballer)
- George McNeill (Athlete)
- John Ewart (Architect)
- Jim Johnstone (Musician)
- David Landles Neilson (Captain of the [Rohilla] lost off Whitby in 1914)
Places of interest
Sport
Football
The local senior football team is Tranent Juniors Football Club who won the Scottish Junior Cup in season 1934/35, being the runners up 2 seasons before. The Juniors play their football at Foresters Park in the centre of the town.
Tranent Colts, the towns football team for children, was reformed in 1998 and currently runs 14 junior sides involving in excess of 160 children.
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. The club boasts 3 adult teams together with a flourishing youth section.
Cricket
The local club is Tranent Cricket Club which was established in 2010. The side currently plays in the East of Scotland Cricket Association Division 8. The club has two sides, these being the Saturday league side and a development side which plays social cricket and also competes in the East Lothian Village League.
Swimming
There is a swimming club in the town, namely the Tranent Amateur Swimming Club. The club is based at the Loch Centre.
Hockey
The local hockey club is the Ross High Ladies Hockey Club.
Bowls
Tranent boasts two successful bowling clubs these being the Tranent Bowling Club, based at Polson Park and the East Lothian Co-op Employees Bowling Club based at Blawearie Road.
Boxing
The local boxing club is Bronx Boxing which has premises on Bridge Street.