Haddington

Many thanks to Puremalt Products Ltd for facilitating this camera's location and to The Forth Rivers Trust for capitally funding its installation. The River Tyne, originating in the Moorfoot Hills of Midlothian near Tynehead to the south of Edinburgh, marks a significant waterway in Scotland. Spanning approximately 30 miles  northeastward, it gracefully converges with the North Sea near Belhaven. Its course predominantly forms a confluence between the Birns Water and the Tyne Water, a confluence situated about 2 kilometers east of Easter Pencaitland and 1 kilometer southwest of Spilmersford Bridge within the confines of Saltoun Hall, while the Humbie Water serves as another primary headwater.The Tyne boasts an array of tributaries, each contributing to its rich aquatic network. Among these, the Bellyford Burn, Kinchie Burn, Blackford Burn, Cock Burn, Fala Dam Burn, East Water, Salters' Burn, Blackhouse Burn, Johnstounburn Water, Letham Burn, St Laurence House Burn, Bearford Burn, and Old Hailes Burn intricately weave into its waters, enhancing its vitality and flow.Transitioning to the historic locale of the Royal Burgh of Haddington in East Lothian, Scotland, a town steeped in cultural heritage and administrative significance, we encounter a place deeply rooted in history. Situated approximately 17 miles  to the east of Edinburgh, Haddington serves as the pivotal administrative and cultural nucleus of East Lothian. Its name, originating from Anglo-Saxon roots dating back to the sixth or seventh century AD, reflects its integration into the kingdom of Bernicia during a bygone era.Haddington, like its Lothian counterparts, transitioned from English to Scottish sovereignty in the tenth century, a transformation underscored by its attainment of Burgh status during the reign of David I (1124–1153). This distinction bestowed upon the town trading rights, catalyzing its evolution into a bustling market town. Presently, Haddington stands as a quaint settlement housing around 10,000 inhabitants, a stark contrast to its illustrious past during the High Middle Ages when it ranked as the fourth-largest town in Scotland.At the heart of Haddington lies the distinguished Haddington Town House, a structure completed in 1745 based on a design by William Adam. Originally designed to accommodate markets on its lower level and an assembly hall on the upper floor, it underwent enhancements in 1788, culminating in the addition of a spire in 1831. Adjacent landmarks such as the corn exchange (1854), the county courthouse (1833), the Jane Welsh Carlyle House, Mitchell's Close, and the birthplace of the esteemed author and government reformer Samuel Smiles on High Street, commemorated by a plaque, further enrich the town's historical tapestry.A notable figure associated with Haddington is John Knox, believed to have been born in this very town. The local high school, Knox Academy, aptly pays homage to his legacy, underscoring Haddington's enduring ties to illustrious historical figures and events. Haddington, situated prominently on the left bank of the River Tyne, once thrived as a hub renowned for its mills. Emerging as the fourth-largest town in Scotland during the High Middle Ages, it later found itself at the epicenter of the mid-eighteenth century Scottish Agricultural Revolution.In 1641, the Parliament of Scotland enacted legislation to stimulate the production of fine cloth, with a subsequent amendment in 1645 exempting masters and workers of manufactories from military service. This led to the establishment of more factories, including the notable New Mills. However, the fortunes of New Mills fluctuated, notably impacted by the absence of protective measures for Scottish manufactured cloth. Following challenges during the Civil War and subsequent investments in new machinery through a charter in May 1681, the New Mills faced mixed outcomes. The property underwent auction in 1713, ultimately transitioning into the hands of Colonel Francis Charteris, who rechristened the lands as Amisfield.Preserving its historical layout, the town center of Haddington retains a significant medieval street plan, with Court Street, High Street, Market Street, and Hardgate delineating the boundaries of the original triangular market square. The medieval rigg pattern of burgage plots persists to the north and south, characterized by narrow street-facing buildings and elongated plots extending rearward. The town's medieval integrity and array of historic structures garnered early recognition, leading to an Improvement Scheme in the 1950s that revitalized numerous period properties under the stewardship of the Town Council. This initiative also birthed a distinctive town color scheme, contributing to the vibrant townscape witnessed today.While selective redevelopment focused around Newton Port and Hardgate aimed to enhance motor traffic flow by widening narrow streets, substantial efforts have maintained the town's historic essence. Noteworthy buildings dot the town, with the Abbey of St. Mary and 16th-century town defenses, although largely unseen on the ground, undergoing thorough research by Haddington's History Society. St. Martin's Kirk remains a stalwart emblem of the town's ancient heritage.East of Haddington, south of the River Tyne, once stood Amisfield House, a marvel of Palladian architecture crafted by architect Isaac Ware for Colonel Francis Charteris. Regarded as a pinnacle of the orthodox Palladian style in Scotland, the estate boasted a walled garden erected by John Henderson in 1783 and a castellated stable block completed in 1785. Despite its grandeur, the house succumbed to dry rot and met its demise in 1928, leaving behind a legacy of architectural magnificence and historical significance.