TWO former children’s homes which were run by Barnardo’s in East Lothian will be part of an ongoing inquiry into historic child abuse in Scotland.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is looking at the care provided in residential children’s homes and foster homes up to 2014. It launches its next phase in the autumn which will focus on large care providers Quarriers, Aberlour and Barnardo’s.

Among the care homes coming under scrutiny which were run by Barnardo’s are Glasclune, North Berwick, and Tyneholme, Pencaitland.

Glasclune, which was opened in 1944 as a Barnardo’s home for girls, operated as a mixed home from 1953 and in the late 1970s became used as accommodation for children with emotional difficulties.

In 1979 the building, which stood on Greenhead Road, was gutted by a fire which was attended by 60 firefighters at its peak and caused £300,000 of damage.

None of the children in the home at the time were injured in the blaze and the home itself closed three years later.

Tyneholme House in Pencaitland was opened in 1948 by Barnardo’s as a home for boys and became mixed accommodation in 1970 before changing to a home for children with physical and learning disabilities in 1973. It closed in 1985.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry appealed for anyone who had information or experiences of the homes to get in touch.

They said: “The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry wants to ensure that all available evidence is gathered.

“Investigations are ongoing, with evidence being taken from survivors and other witnesses who can provide valuable information, as well as gathering a wide range of documentary evidence.

“We have been pleased with the response to date but, as the investigation progresses, we would actively encourage anyone who has relevant information to get in touch.

“If you have information or experiences of any establishments run by Barnardo’s, especially the ones listed, please contact the inquiry’s witness support team as soon as possible.”

The inquiry was launched in October 2015 and is chaired by Lady Anne Smith.

It will report to Scottish Ministers with recommendations to improve the law, policies and practices in Scotland.

The Inquiry’s witness support team can be phoned on 0800 0929 300, or emailed at talktous@child abuseinquiry.scot Individuals can also write to the inquiry by post at SCAI, PO Box 24085, Edinburgh EH7 9EA.