Historic St Mary's Parish Church in Haddington to feature on BBC's Christmas coverage

A special watchnight service, recorded last month at St Mary’s Parish Church, will take to television screens on Christmas Eve on BBC One Scotland.

The programme, which airs at 11.45pm, is hosted by Sally Magnusson and features readings and music from the Haddington church.

The Reporting Scotland host opens the programme and tells viewers: “Welcome to Haddington, the heart of East Lothian, and to the beautiful St Mary’s Church.

“With just minutes to go to Christmas Day, we’re joining the congregation and friends, and the community, for readings and carols to celebrate the birth of Christ.”

Among those taking part in the readings at the church, which is on Haddington’s Sidegate, are the Rev Jennifer Macrae, minister at the church; Sarah Ingham, headteacher at Knox Academy; and East Lothian MSP Iain Gray.

Mrs Macrae told the Courier she planned to watch the programme at some point over the festive period but would be busy with the “live” watchnight service at the church, which gets under way at 11.30pm, with carol singing from 11.15pm.

She said: “It was quite strange because they film different sections at different times. We know what was filmed but don’t have a picture of it.”

The minister added it was lovely to have a full church of people singing for the programme, which runs into the early hours of Christmas Day.

Filming took place on November 26.

Mrs Ingham was delighted to be involved and added: “It was all very professional, with the team being very efficient and capable – it was no hardship to be involved, and it was a lovely gesture from the congregation to ask me to be part of it.”

Mr Gray told the Courier: “As a member there, I am biased, but, for me, St Mary’s is the most beautiful church in Scotland, and certainly one of the most historic.

“Nowhere better, then, for the Christmas Eve service, and I was very pleased to have been asked to read part of the Christmas story from the Gospel for the service.”