Published: Thursday, 2nd July, 2009 6:00am

Aberlady digs deep and reveals exciting heritage

AN AMBITIOUS community project exploring Aberlady"s early heritage and links with Christian history has begun to bear fruit, with the unveiling of new information boards at the village"s kirkyard.

The year-long project, led by Aberlady Conservation and History Society, involved archaeological surveys over three sites active between the Iron Age and late medieval times in the village and surrounding area; associated historical research; the development of a teaching pack and CD for the local primary school; interpretive artwork panels; and the development of heritage leaflets and maps for use by locals and tourists alike.

Five panels depicting key scenes linking the village"s early Christian links with Iona and Lindisfarne and the later medieval harbour, only recently discovered by local history society members, have been erected in the kirkyard overlooking Aberlady Bay - local primary school pupils were invited to unveil the finished panels at a ceremony last Thursday (see picture), marking the end of the project"s first phase.

The history society received a grant of £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £21,000 from East Lothian Council to fund the project.

Speaking at last week"s ceremony, Ian Malcolm, project manager and society secretary, said:

'This project has been a fantastic journey of exploration and discovery for those who have been involved.

'We conducted geophysical surveys in hail storms and excavated trenches in the baking heat but it has all been very worthwhile.

'The experience has been indescribable.

'Importantly, and central to the original project aims, the learning will have long lasting benefits for the whole community.'

'We are so grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and to East Lothian Council for their generous support.'

The second stage of the project, which has already commenced, involves the reconstruction of an intricately carved eighth-century Christian high cross, which would have stood on the high ground of the present kirkyard overlooking Aberlady Bay when Aberlady was part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, and may have been an important monastic foundation with links to both Iona and Lindisfarne.

Once completed later this year, the five metre-high cross will be erected in the Memorial Garden adjoining the kirk and it"s hoped that the piece will draw visitors from all over Scotland.

Colin McLean, HLF"s manager for Scotland, said: 'It is amazing to see what has been achieved by this project.

'The enthusiasm of those involved has been rewarded with new discoveries, new learning and a great deal of enjoyment.

'The community now has a remarkable resource which gives them an understanding of how their village has developed over thousands of years.

'The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to have helped make this happen and wishes the local primary school well in opening up Aberlady"s heritage to future generations.'

Also in attendance at the unveiling was Councillor Stuart Currie, council depute leader and cabinet member for community services.

He said: 'East Lothian has a rich archaeological heritage and projects such as this in Aberlady are gradually uncovering more about the historical development of the county.

East Lothian Council has been at the forefront of developing community archaeology projects in recent years and I am particularly pleased that we provided a grant to the Aberlady project to enable this work to be carried out.'