A HIGHLY anticipated archaeological project, unearthing information on salt pans and Scotland’s earliest railway, will begin this week.

An archaeological team put together by the 1722 Waggonway Project, which includes local volunteers and professional and student archaeologists from across the UK, will conduct excavations at two separate sites relating to the historic coal and salt industries of East Lothian.

Their work starts on Monday and lasts until September 6.

The Cockenzie Salt Pans dig will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday by a team of volunteering professionals and project members, who will complete the investigation into a 17th-century salt pan house on the shoreline between Cockenzie and Port Seton.

Visitors are being encouraged to view the salt pan trench from the shore path.

Between September 3 and 5, following the completion of the salt pan dig, the excavation team will uncover more of the historic wooden railway track discovered in 2019.

The team will be working where the Waggonway path crosses the Prestonpans Battlefield between Cockenzie and Meadowmill.

This site focuses on finding and interpreting the remains of what is believed to be Scotland’s earliest waggonway – an early type of wooden railway.

On September 4, several members of the public who have booked in to be a part of the project will dig test pits under guidance at intervals along the route to test the depth and level of preservation of the 18th-century waggonway track.

Ed Bethune, 1722 Waggonway Project leader, said: “We are delighted to have all our preparations complete, with equipment stocked up and the team assembled.

“Everyone is looking forward to this hugely and we cannot wait to get going – this will be a fantastic experience for all our volunteers.

“We are very grateful to all our project partners, including the East Lothian Council Archaeology Service, who once again have been instrumental in helping this excavation happen.”

Guides will be available at both sites to explain the archaeology and history of the waggonway and salt pans.

Public access to paths at both sites will remain open throughout and visitors are encouraged to visit the Waggonway Heritage Centre, at West Harbour Road in Cockenzie, to learn about the history of both sites and collect a map of the dig locations.