A CAMPAIGN to transform a “blot on the landscape” into a state-of-the-art heritage centre for the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh is gathering momentum.

Members of Inveresk Village Society are in talks with the owner of the former Crookston School site, between Wallyford and Whitecraig, in a bid to get the project off the ground.

Ian Irving, an Inveresk resident and society member, said the derelict building at Salters Road, which was now falling prey to vandals, would make the ideal spot for a heritage centre similar to the visitor experiences at Bannockburn and Culloden.

The plan is also being backed by the Old Musselburgh Club and Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield Group which commemorate the battle, known as 'Bloody Saturday', each year on its anniversary, September 10. The Musselburgh Museum and Heritage Group has also thrown its weight behind the initiative.

Mr Irving told the Courier: “The battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 was the biggest battle ever fought in Scotland involving thousands of troops and about 6,000 were killed. It was also the first modern battle on British soil featuring combined arms cooperation between infantry, artillery and cavalry together with naval bombardment off the shore at Musselburgh in support of land forces.”

He said: “It is a shame to see the unoccupied Crookston School, where some of my friends were educated, become such an eyesore and blot on the landscape.

“For many years I have been aware that the school was in the Pinkie battlefield site and, because it was near to the A1, thought it would make an excellent base for a quality battlefield heritage centre, similar to the modern Bannockburn experience which is fantastic.”

Mr Irving said if the site could be secured, a special group could be set up to progress the plan and funding could be sought from sources such as the Heritage Lottery Fund to progress construction of the new centre.

He added that developers who were building new houses in the Musselburgh area could also give financial aid or help in kind to make the plan a reality.

He stressed: “There is no doubt in my mind that this area played a crucial part in the history of Scotland and England. Crookston School ground could again be used to build another centre of education.

"Many people, especially English visitors who will flock to see and learn about the English victory, would benefit from the experience. The centre would bring people into the area and boost the local economy, as well as providing some employment.

“Without doubt this area is steeped in history and should be conserved and promoted for the good of East Lothian, especially the town of Musselburgh and surrounding villages who need to unite to make this happen. This could be a major opportunity missed.

“I have met lots of people when I am out and about, and have mentioned the school. They have all said what a brilliant idea it would be.”

Alister Hadden, speaking on behalf of the Old Musselburgh Club, said: “The club is solidly behind the proposed project and has been instrumental in having the Pinkie Cleugh Memorial Stone erected at Crookston by a former president George Montgomery. It began holding commemoration ceremonies on the anniversary of the battle, September 10, each year since 2002.”

A former pupil of Crookston School, he added: “I still have a great affection for Crookston School and still keep in touch with former pupils. I would support any proposal to see it brought back to life and restored and returned back into an educational centre.

"With new housing appearing every day on the horizon and with new residents moving into Wallyford and East Lothian they should have places they can go and learn more about the place they have moved to. Crookston School would be ideal for a visitors’ educational centre for the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh fought on the doorstep of Crookston School and and remove it from the eyesore that it is today.”

The Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield Group, which was was formed in 2010, created the Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield trail with information boards about the battle.

Andrew Coulson of the battlefield group said: “The group enthusiastically backs this plan. Crookston School would be the perfect location for a Pinkie Cleugh heritage centre, and this would put to ideal use what is otherwise a derelict eyesore.

"Commemoration of the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, together with the other historically important battlefield sites in East Lothian, has the potential to become a significant tourist attraction for the county.”

Simon Fairnie, on behalf of the Musselburgh Museum and Heritage Group, said: “We would be very supportive of this initiative.”