Virtual Tour of the Waggonway Museum with Ed Bethune

We’ll be hosting Ed Bethune, the chairperson of the 1722 Waggonway Heritage Group, as he takes us on a virtual tour of their wonderful museum in Cockenzie.

The Tranent – Cockenzie Waggonway was built by the York Buildings Company in 1722. Construction started in May of that year, with local timber-wright William Dickson employed to make wooden rails, wagons and wheels for this new innovation. The Cadell family bought the line in 1779 and upgraded it to an iron railway in 1815, before employing Robert Stevenson to make further modifications at Cockenzie Harbour in 1833.

The Waggonway Museum sits close to the former terminus of the Waggonway and explores the history and archaeology of the line itself as well as the local coal and salt industries it served.

Ed will give us a tour of the museum and bring us up to date on recent community archaeology work organised by the Heritage Group in the local area followed by a Q&A.

Curated especially for the Cockburn Association’s 30th year hosting Doors Open Days events along the theme: “Opening the Doors to Hidden Histories ”, this is the latest in a series of different and distinctive discussions we call our “Cockburn Conversations”.

Tickets to these events are free, but please do consider becoming a member of the Cockburn Association. We are an independent conservation charity and we need your assistance to help us continue protecting Edinburgh’s wonderful civic amenities and unique built heritage.

Questions can be submitted in advance to admin@cockburnassociation.org.uk . Please subject your email: “Cockburn Conversations – Comely Bank”.

Only ONE ticket per screen, per event is required to be booked.

Founded in 1875, the Cockburn Association is Scotland’s oldest conservation body. Our purpose is to enhance the amenity of Edinburgh and its neighbourhood and to protect its rich architectural and landscape heritage. We are a membership organisation, open to everyone who is passionate about our city.

Our “Cockburn Conversations” provide a contemporary public forum, reminiscent of the coffee houses, salons and taverns of Edinburgh in the age of Enlightenment, where we discuss local heritage matters and debate important contemporary civic issues that affect the city and its communities today.

Have a look on Eventbrite or our social media channels for information about the other Cockburn Conversations in this series and please do watch out for future events