Prestonpans - The Beach

Continuing my recent adventure to Prestonpans on the coast of Scotland...As a result of the extensive mining in the region, much of Prestonpans can't be seen - tunnels run underground throughout the area. Some even run from the mine, all the way to the Firth of Forth. My guide, Annemarie Allan said that one miner walked three miles through the underground maze to get to his shift each day. For proof, this building operated as a ventilation shaft. It was a good walk above ground, I can't imagine getting there from below.Of course, it's all locked up now and has become a favorite roost for pigeons. From there, Annemarie, her husband Jim, and I went down to explore the beach.When the houses and ceramics works were torn down, much of the debris was tossed to the beach, where it's been left to weather for decades. It makes for a surprisingly beautiful beach covered in broken bits that make lovely worn worry-stones. I found a piece of ceramic that fits my thumb just perfectly and now resides next to my laptop as I write.Truly, time can mend so much of our human damage. It's a beautiful place now. Here's Jim searching for treasures.Back up from the beach is the former location of Morrison's Haven.This was a port of lucrative trade, shipping the products of Prestonpans to the world. But when they closed the businesses, the decision was made to also fill in the port. Trade was dead and maintaining the port would have cost the town too much money. It's a shame really. This is what it looked like through the lens of history. (Click the image to view it larger in a new window.) This is all that's left of it now. This transparent photograph shows an image of where the water and port braces stood.Perhaps one of the reasons they filled it in is because that field where Annemarie and I stood has a notorious history. The story of the witches of Prestonpans is next...