Place in East Lothian, Scotland
| Coordinates: | 55.955, -2.984 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | NT 38 74 |
| Population: | 9,490 |
| Dialling code: | 01875 (Tranent) |
Prestonpans is a small coastal town in East Lothian, Scotland, sitting on the north shore of the Firth of Forth only a short train or drive east of Edinburgh. It grew up around salt pans, coal mining and later heavy industry, with nearby Cockenzie and Port Seton forming a linked coastal community; the landscape still bears traces of pits, brickworks and the once‑familiar power station, while today many residents commute to the capital.
The town is best known for the 1745 Jacobite victory at the Battle of Prestonpans, celebrated locally by the large Prestonpans Tapestry and regular reenactments, and its industrial past is interpreted at Prestongrange Museum and community spaces such as the Gothenburg. There’s an active local cultural scene, lively community groups and a pleasant stretch of coastline popular for walks and views across to Fife.
EH32 2AJ, EH32 9LE, EH32 9GQ, EH32 9PB, EH32 9AX, EH32 9NY, EH32 9BA, EH32 9BE, EH32 9FE, EH32 9NA