Home Report Tranent

Tranent is one of the oldest towns in East Lothian of roughly 12,100 residents. The town lies just 6 miles from the boundary of Edinburgh, and under 10 miles from the city centre. Coal mining was once significant in the town, and the town possesses the oldest coal-mining charter in Britain. The last coal mine in the town closed in the late sixties. Tranent has seen itself transformed into a popular commuter town mainly for residents working in Edinburgh.

In 2001, the population of Tranent was roughly about 8000 people. The population growth to 12,100 residents is fuelled by its proximity and ease of travel to Edinburgh which has essentially transformed it into the commuter town we know today. It is so close yet retains a small-town, countryside feel. The town lies beside the A1 Road, which runs through the wider area connecting to Edinburgh to the west, and Haddington and Dunbar to the East. While the town has no railway of its own, residents benefit from the train station in nearby Prestonpans that most people can reach in about 10 minutes by car or bus. Bus services are frequent and ferry people to the nearby towns and villages in East Lothian, as well as a frequent service into Edinburgh city centre.

The town has plenty of the usual array of chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores, pubs, takeaways and other business you would expect. Residents also benefit from amenities in Prestonpans, Musselburgh and Wallyford due to their proximity to the town.

Also worth a mention is the Tranent Gala Week, held annually since 1934 by local volunteers who are part of the Gala Committee. Events during the gala week include the crowning of the local Queen who is accompanied by 29 other children from the town. The nearby Fa’side Castle dating from the 12th century was restored in the 1980s and is now privately owned with a B&B business on the grounds. It is worth going to see as it quite an imposing sight on the surrounding farmland and almost hangs over the country road outside.

As for local schooling, the town is home to three primary schools and one secondary school. The primary schools are Windygoul Primary School, Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School and St Martins Primary School. The secondary school is Ross High School and accommodates over 1200 pupils from Tranent and villages around the area which are Macmerry, Ormiston, Humbie, Elphinstone, Pencaitland, and Saltoun.