A NEW booklet looking at the history of lanes and closes on Dunbar High Street could be launched ahead of next summer.

The booklet, which would follow on the heels of a similar publication for Haddington, could look at areas such as Printing Close, Trinity Close and Lawson’s Court.

Dunbar and East Linton Councillor Michael Veitch told the Courier that a number of discussions about the proposed book had already taken place.

“We’re fairly confident we can get funding for the book,” he said.

“A lot of work has already been done by the council in putting together the history of the closes and we are working with a historian to put it all together.

“The model is there, it is just a case of getting funding in place for leaflets.” Details about the often-colourful history of the closes is already available online.

One of those closes with a tale to tell is Logan’s Close, at the eastern end of High Street.

According to the Dunbar Trades’ Association (DTA) website, this close could be named after “a pirate or smuggler dealing in contraband excisable liquor – brandy, gin and fine wines from the continent”.

It continues: “A colourful tale and it does contain a germ of truth.

“In 1852, No. 1 High Street was a grocery business operated by Messrs. Manderson and Logan; in those days, grocers stocked excisable liquor, being the off-licence trade of their day.

“It is not beyond the realms of possibility that stocks may have been obtained from smugglers who, by avoiding the tax imposed by the Government ‘gaugers’ (Customs and Excise officers), could offer their goods cheaply, with a higher profit margin for both parties.” The 40-page Closes of Haddington booklet was published earlier this year and looks at 11 different lanes and closes around the town centre.

It was created by East Lothian Council and Historic Scotland and looks at Opera Close, Shiell’s Close, Dickson’s Close, Mitchell’s Close, Burleigh’s Wa’s, Gowl Close, Tyne Close, Cairns Close, Dobson’s Close, Ross’s Close and Roughead Close.

Now, a new version looking at Dunbar could be created.

Mr Veitch added: “It would be great to have it in place well in advance of next summer.

“There has been a big renewed interest in local history and the John Gray Centre [in Haddington] has been a huge addition to the county.

“It’s been of interest to anyone county wide who wants to go there and learn more about local history.

“In Dunbar, we have got a very keen interest in the local history of the town and a lot of work has already been done.” Last year, a number of the closes were also cleaned up with help from the DTA.

A fresh coast of paint was added to a number of the close signs and Mr Veitch was keen to see the closes remain in a well-maintained condition.