Pencaitland and Ormiston @ Urbansea

Sir John Cockburn of Ormiston, in East Lothian, the great improver of Scottish husbandry, son of Adam Cockburn of Ormiston, lord-justice-clerk after the Revolution, by his wife Lady Susan Hamilton, was born about 1685. During his father’s life he was a member of the Scots parliament, and gave his support to the union of the […]

Agriculture was a prominent use of land until the unearthing of coal, nowadays, agriculture has reverted to being the most common land use. As mining methods improved, coal was extracted from the surrounding seams around the village. The village changed in size and character and many new houses were built. The Miners Welfare Institute was […]

Originally the name appears to have been Ulfstruther signifying the Wolf’s Covert or hiding place.  Other forms of the name are Foulstruther and Woolstruther. “de firmis duarum parcium Ville de Elphinstoun et Ulstruther, in warda ut supra” (Exchequer Rolls Volume IV) of also how in 1438 there is payment of £19, 13 shillings and 4d […]