Cockenzie and Port Seton

Cockenzie and Port Seton (Scots: Cockennie[1] [koˈkɪni]; Scottish Gaelic: Cùil Choinnich, meaning "cove of Kenneth")[2] is a unified town in East Lothian, Scotland. It is on the coast of the Firth of Forth, four miles east of Musselburgh. The burgh of Cockenzie was created in 1591 by James VI of Scotland. Port Seton harbour was built by George Seton, 11th Lord Seton between 1655 and 1665.

Cockenzie and Port Seton
  • Scottish Gaelic: Cùil Choinnich
  • Scots: Cockennie

Cockenzie and Port Seton from the air
Cockenzie and Port Seton
Cockenzie and Port Seton
Location within Scotland
OS grid referenceNT399755
Civil parish
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townPrestonpans
Postcode districtEH32
Dialling code01875
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

The town had a population of 4,493 in 2001.[3] Since the last Census in 2001, there have been many new houses built. The population is now about 5,460. Cockenzie and Port Seton has continued to grow over the years and is now a dormitory town for Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh.

Power station

To the west of the town, between Cockenzie and Prestonpans is the site of Cockenzie power station, a large coal-fired power station which was a major employer from the 1960s until it closed in 2013, and enabled the town to survive and prosper. Demolition of the main plant is now complete and ownership transferred to East Lothian Council who are now looking for businesses to occupy the site.[4] Plans for an Energy Park on the site, to be used for the construction and repair of wind turbines, were scrapped in March 2015.[5]

Fishing
Port Seton Harbour

Cockenzie and Port Seton has grown from what were initially two small fishing villages. The older parts of the town, between the two harbours, retain a more traditional look and feel, similar to many other small fishing villages on the east coast of Scotland. Although the fishing industry has declined in recent years the harbour at Port Seton still retains a small fleet of vessels, mainly fishing for prawns. In the past, Cockenzie was also involved in the salt making and coal mining industries.[6]

Tourism

To the east of Port Seton there is a large caravan campsite/holiday park at Seton Sands. The promenade area and the creation of a coastal walk, a part of the John Muir Way, have improved the environment in recent years.[6]

To the south east is Seton Collegiate Church, a collegiate church also known as Seton Chapel, an Ancient Monument in the care of Historic Scotland. Next to it was Seton Palace, now Seton House.

Transport

Cockenzie and Port Seton are served by direct bus links to and from Edinburgh, Prestonpans and Musselburgh. These services are operated by Lothian Buses (routes 26 and X26). The nearest railway station is at Prestonpans.

Churches
Chalmers Memorial Church
Cockenzie Methodist Church

Cockenzie and Port Seton have several churches of different denominations, including:

Leisure

In 2006, Cockenzie and Port Seton along with the neighbouring towns of Prestonpans and Longniddry were twinned with the town of Barga, Tuscany, Italy.[7]

In 2005, The 3 Harbours Arts Festival was inaugurated by Cockenzie, Port Seton and Prestonpans. It takes place in early June.

The town has a community centre with activities such as a youth club, football pitches and a skatepark within the grounds.

Notable people

See also

References
  1. The Online Scots Dictionary
  2. Cockenzie and Port Seton East Lothian Council. Retrieved January 17, 2008, from:http://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/content/0,1094,113,00.html Archived 2008-02-09 at the Wayback Machine
  3. 2001 Census - Cockenzie and Port Seton(PDF). East Lothian Council. Retrieved January 17, 2008, from:"Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 August 2004. Retrieved 21 October 2004.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Cockenzie Power station demolition gets under way - Edinburgh Evening News". Edinburghnews.scotsman.com. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  5. "Cockenzie Energy Park plans scrapped (From East Lothian Courier)". Eastlothiancourier.com. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  6. Cockenzie and Port Seton. East Lothian Council. Retrieved January 17, 2008, from:http://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/content/0,1094,113,00.html Archived 2008-02-09 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Prestonpans: Battles of the '45
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