CALLS by local historians to give the proposed new town at Blindwells a name which reflects its historic battle roots have been welcomed by developers.

The Battle of Prestonpans 1745 Heritage Trust says the development – between Tranent and Longniddry – could be given a more imaginative name.

They have suggesting Riggonhead, after the famous Riggonhead Defile march which took place there before the 1745 battle; or Charlestoun, after Bonnie Prince Charlie.

And landowners Hargreaves Services have said they will listen to local suggestions, once the development is given the go-ahead.

A spokesman for the firm, said: “Following the completion of the planning process we will be more than happy to consult with the local community and stakeholders on the potential to rename the site.” The trust wants the new development’s name to pay tribute to the early-morning silent march that Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite troops made across boggy land at Riggonhead Farm (on what is now Blindwells) on September 21, 1745.

This suprise attack on Government forces, camped to the east, became the Battle of Prestonpans and was Prince Charlie’s greatest victory.

Battle re-enactors annually gather to walk from Tranent along the defile – a term for a narrow pass between hills which troops can march only in a narrow column – to west of Seton Collegiate, in the footsteps of the prince’s troops.

The trust said: “The trust’s straightforward purpose is to conserve and interpret the defile in an appropriate manner, which enables annual re-enactments to continue and the new residents of Blindwells/Riggonhead/Charlestoun to know something of those historic moments in 1745.” A council spokeswoman said: “The process of determining new names is the subject of extensive consultation with local community councils and councillors. Where possible, any recommendations or suggestions made will be linked to local historical names or be in keeping with existing names within the surrounding areas, so local historical societies may also be consulted. Councillors’ recommendations are also key.

“When building work on the site begins, I would advise the Battle of Prestonpans Trust and other local groups to liaise with the developers as soon as they can, as the developers will need some time to carry out consultation on potential names.” The calls came as it was revealed that a long-lost portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie has been found at Gosford House.

The portrait, painted in in Edinburgh by Scottish artist Allan Ramsay in 1745, is the only one ever to have been painted while the prince was in Britain.

It remained almost entirely unseen for more than 250 years in the collection of the Earls of Wemyss.

Art historian Dr Bendor Grosvenor made the discovery, which was the focus of a BBC2 documentary.

The discovery makes amends for Dr Grosvenor’s shock revelation a few years ago that the Scottish National Portrait Gallery’s iconic portrait of the prince was in fact of his brother Henry.