East Saltoun and West Saltoun

The villages of East Saltoun and West Saltoun, together with a large number of farms and hamlets, from the rural and mainly agriculture parish of Saltoun. The two villages lie in the foothills of the Lammermuirs and are separated from each other by about one mile. To the south the villages are largely bordered by woodland: Petersmuir Wood, Dryden, and Saltoun Big Wood.

In the 12th century David I gave lands in Saltoun to Hugh de Moreville. In 1643 the lands and barony were sold to Andrew Fletcher (grandfather of Andrew Fletcher, the Patriot), and it was the Fletcher family who attempted to make Saltoun a center of manufacturing in the early 18th century.[1] Most industries were sited in West Saltoun (formerly Milton), on the Birns Water. The first barley mill in Scotland was established there in 1712, and the British Linen Company had bleachfields in West Saltoun in 1746.[2]

In the early 19th century the Fletcher family invested further in the parish by helping to pay for a new church, manse and school in East Saltoun, and commissioning additions to Saltoun Hall (near West Saltoun).[3]

By the mid 19th century most of the parish's industries were failing, and the land was given over to agriculture.

Saltoun Parish Church

The Fountain to John Fletcher of Saltoun

East Saltoun (once known as Kirkton) is the larger of the two villages.

A church dedicated to Saint Michael was first consecrated in 1244, and several church buildings have been used since then. Gilbert Burnet, theologian and Bishop of Salisbury, started his ministry in Saltoun in 1665. The present building dates back to 1805, and is built in the shape of a cross with a Gothic-style tower and steeple.[4]

Local facilities include a garage, shop, village hall, blacksmith, and a school. The school serves East Saltoun and West Saltoun, as well as the wider parish, and as of 2008 the roll was 49.[5]

At one time West Saltoun was larger and had its own school, post office, and shop. Today, West Saltoun is smaller and is made up of just a few houses, with Saltoun Big Wood and the Birns Water nearby.

The B6355 road runs through East Saltoun, connecting it to Gifford in the east, and Pencaitland in the north-west. A former branch railway line that linked East and West Saltoun to Gifford, Haddington, and ultimately Edinburgh was closed to passengers in 1933 and is now a cycle path.

• Gilbert Burnet, theologian and Bishop of Salisbury was minister here from 1665-1669.
• Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, the Scottish patriot was born here in 1653.
• Hugh de Moreville, Lord High Constable of Scotland and friend of David I, owned land in Saltoun.
• John Arthur Thomson, the biologist was born in 1861.
• John Swinton (journalist) (1829–1901)

• Saltoun Parish Church
• List of places in East Lothian

Wikimedia Commons has media related to East Saltoun and West Saltoun.

• Canmore - Saltoun Hall site record