Elphinstone, East Lothian

Human settlement in Scotland

Elphinstone

Elphinstone

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Elphinstone

Location within Scotland

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Population| 590 (2022)[1]
OS grid reference| NT396702
Council area|

* East Lothian Council

Lieutenancy area|

* East Lothian

Country| Scotland
Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Post town| TRANENT
Postcode district| EH33
Dialling code| 01875
Police| Scotland
Fire| Scottish
Ambulance| Scottish
UK Parliament|

* East Lothian

Scottish Parliament|

* East Lothian

List of places

Scotland

55°55′19″N 2°57′58″W﻿ / ﻿55.922°N 2.966°W﻿ / 55.922; -2.966

Elphinstone is a village in East Lothian, Scotland, southwest of Tranent. The ruins of Elphinstone Tower, the former seat of the Elphinstone family, lie nearby.

## Etymology

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The village's name was first recorded in the 13th century.[2] It may mean "estate belonging to Ælfwine", from Old English Ælfwinestun.[3] A local fairy tale offers a more fantastical origin for the name, tracing it back to an elf who was imprisoned in stone by a witch whom he had crossed.[4]

## History

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The Protestant reformer George Wishart was brought to Elphinstone by Patrick Hepburn, 3rd Earl of Bothwell en route to St Andrews where he was tried and burned at the stake on 1 March 1546.[5]

Between 2011 and 2018 the population of the village increased from 520 to 590[6] and it has basic amenities, including a primary school, a community centre, a newsagent, and a miners welfare club.[7]

## Landmarks and economy

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The remains of Elphinstone Tower

Located half a mile west of the village, Elphinstone Tower, built in the 13th to 15th century, is a former five-storey tower, now a ruin, with only the lower level remaining.[8] The Elphinstone clan held the lands of Elphinstone and took their name from their lands.[9]

Mines owned by the Edinburgh Colliery Company, Limited were formerly the main employer in the village. Many of the houses in the village were owned by the company.[10] now Inveresk Research International is one of the main employers in the area.[citation needed] Elphinstone Tower Farm produces cereal crops.[11]

## References

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1. ^ "Population estimates for settlements and localities in Scotland: mid-2020". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
2. ^ Black, George F. (1971) [1946]. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. New York Public Library. p. 244\. ISBN 0-87104-172-3.
3. ^ Harrison, Henry (1996) [1912]. Surnames of the United Kingdom. Baltimore: Clearfield Company. p. 134\. ISBN 0-8063-0171-6.
4. ^ Tim Porteous (15 September 2018). "Tim's tales: The origin of 'Meg's Chuck' in Elphinstone". East Lothian Courier. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
5. ^ R W Cargill. "Torchbearers of the Truth: George Wishart (1513-1546)". Believers' Magazine. John Ritchie Ltd. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
6. ^ "Elphinstone in East Lothian (Scotland)". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
7. ^ "Tranent and Elphinstone Community Action Plan 2014-1019" (PDF). www.coalfieldsregen.co.uk. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
8. ^ "Elphinstone Tower". Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
9. ^ "Elphinstone". Scotweb Marketing Ltd. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
10. ^ "Lothians Housing Evidence given by Robert Brown". Scottish Mining Website. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
11. ^ "Elphinstone Tower farm" (PDF). Savills. Retrieved 1 March 2020.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Elphinstone.

* Website of Elphinstone Primary School
* East Lothian Council Report on Elphinstone village