THE consultation to decide the name of East Lothian’s new town closes tomorrow (Wednesday).
The town will be located at the former opencast mine at Blindwells.
School pupils from around East Lothian were asked to compile a shortlist of names for the public consultation, which is now drawing to a close.
A panel consisting of councillors and senior officials then determined that the most popular and suitable names were Charlestoun, Hattonfield, Hopetoun, Muirdale and Nethermuir.
The panel also decided that the name Blindwells should be included on the list for public consultation.
Charlestoun was suggested given the area’s links to Prince Charles Edward Stuart and the 1745 Battle of Prestonpans, which took place nearby.
The name Hattonfield is derived from ‘Hatton’ as a name for a settlement.
Hopetoun refers to a small, enclosed upland valley/hollow/bay and town.
Muirdale is a reference to John Muir, the Dunbar-born conservationist, and ‘dale’ as a meadow.
Similarly, Nethermuir is a reference to John Muir and ‘nether’ as a low-lying place. In old Scots, ‘muir’ also means place of rough grazing.
Blindwells was added to the list in reference to the name of the former opencast mine site.
You can express your preference by completing the online survey at: eastlothianconsultations.co.uk/policy-partnerships/naming-east-lothians-new-town
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