Aberlady Heritage Project
During medieval times Aberlady's safe anchorage and harbour rendered it an exceptionally important centre not only for its region but for Scotland too.
Over 300 medieval coins have been recovered from a relatively small area, while the concentration of stray Anglo-Saxon finds surrendered by Aberlady is unrivalled in Scotland.
Nevertheless, the various activities which took place here over time are not well understood.
We know there was a rich ecclesiastical phase of occupation from at least the early 8th Century when Aberlady had strong connections with the monasteries at both Iona and its daughter-house at Lindisfarne.
The cross fragment seen to the left was discovered in the wall of the former manse garden in 1863. The cross of which it formed part would have stood about 17 feet high. It is the closest sculptural representation in existence of the very fine illuminated artwork in the Lindisfarne Gospels, arguably the UK's greatest artwork.
From this early period until late medieval times, Aberlady was an important centre serving the constant flow of pilgrims travelling between those early great monasteries of northern Europe, which were then the outstanding intellectual, cultural and spiritual powerhouses of the time.
This community-led archaeology project aims to uncover more about who was here, why and when. We are grateful for the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The project also acknowledges the support of East Lothian Council, the National Museums of Scotland, the British Library, the University of London, and Gullane Area Community Council.
Project
Beginning in April 2008, the Heritage Lottery funded project will survey three sites related by their maritime heritage on the south side of Aberlady Bay - the Glebe, the medieval harbour quay, and the Smugglers' Cave. The survey findings will be interpreted for the future benefit of the local community, heritage tourists and other visitors. More fundamentally, we wish to improve our national understanding of the importance of Aberlady for the benefit of the historical record.
A copy of the full Project Description (without annexes) is available, as are the reports of the 1995 and 1998 surveys of the Glebe referred to within it.
Project Progress
A progress report will be updated regularly following the project's expected commencement in April 2008.
Image Collection