SOME magical scenes were unveiled at Cockenzie House & Gardens when the Jacobean building’s ruined Claret Towers were brought to life in drawings by three young competition winners.

The estate charity, run by local volunteers who are working to bring the house into community ownership, set a competition for drawings of scenes children imagined inside the towers to mark the start of refurbishment of the main gardens, funded by the Co-op Community Fund.

The three winning entries – by Samson Biddulph, aged six; Maiya Darling, 10; and Amy Watson, 14, all of Port Seton – were printed on huge four-metre banners and unveiled at the main gates last Sunday by East Lothian Provost John McMillan.

Mr McMillan said: “It was a magical morning. It was just such a good idea to have all the families there – socially distanced – celebrating the history of Cockenzie House & Gardens.

“It was very moving, with all the generations together; the house and gardens are so unique in what they do for local business and the community.

“The team did a great job, clearing the space and making pathways.

“It was magical.”

The conical towers on each side of the gates to Cockenzie House certainly fired the young competition winners’ imaginations.

Samson thought that there was buried treasure in the towers, guarded by a dragon; Maiya said she had always been interested in magical and mythical creatures; while Amy said that the towers reminded her of a fairy tale.