THE Waggonway Project has received a £2,480 award from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to help with ongoing archaeology excavations at Cockenzie Harbour.

The funding will help deliver a geophysics training workshop, while also providing volunteers with two days of training in ground-penetrating radar surveying, which will also provide those attending with a technical background to surveying.

It is hoped that the survey results will help contribute to the conservation and long-term sustainable management of Cockenzie Harbour.  

Ed Bethune, chairman of the Waggonway Project, said: “We’re delighted to receive funding to help us develop the archaeological record of Cockenzie Harbour through this geophysical survey. The added opportunity to provide opportunities for veterans and project volunteers to learn new skills is hugely satisfying.

“Our work with Wessex Archaeology is key to this project and we thank them for their expertise and support.”

The funding comes as part of an almost-£100,000 series of grants awarded by Government agency HES to projects across Scotland.

Amy Eastwood, head of grants at HES, said: “We’re pleased to support the recipients with almost £100,000 funding as part of the Historic Environment Support Fund.

“These projects bring positive contributions to communities throughout Scotland – from traditional skills training to engaging the public with our history and heritage.”

The Waggonway Project is a community heritage project, run by the 1722 Waggonway Heritage Group, to interpret, preserve and enhance the route and associated industries and environments of Scotland’s first railway, the 1722 Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway.

The railway’s function was to bring coal from Tranent pits to the salt pans at Cockenzie and Port Seton.