Cockenzie and Port Seton
the historic village on the Firth of Forth in East Lothian, Scotland

Cockenzie and Port Seton is a unified town in East Lothian, Scotland, situated on the coast of the Firth of Forth, four miles north 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. The town has a population of 4,493 as of 2001. Since the last Census in 2001, there have been many new houses built. The population is currently around 5,460. Cockenzie and Port Seton has continued to grow over the years and is now a dormitory (commuter) town for Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh.

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 feel and look, 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.

The Cockenzie end of the village evolved round the small harbour known locally as the Boat Shore. It is said that the village took its name from "Cul Coinnich – the Cove of Kenneth" which eventually became Cowkany. This spelling is in the charter of 1591 in which James VI created the village a Free Burgh of Barony in recognition of Robert, Lord Seton's contribution to the area. The Port Seton end is named for the Seton family who lived in Seton Palace and the small community that lay in its shadow.

The Seton family are best known for their association with Mary Queen of Scots and later support of the Jacobite cause. Queen Mary is said to have played golf here but alas no course exists today. The Setons forfeited their lands after the 1715 Jacobite rebellion. It was the 10^th Lord Seton who established the salt industry in Cockenzie and it continued in varying forms until the middle of the 20^th century. Cockenzie house was built for the Salt Master around 1675 and is still in use today as a nursing home. The Seton lands were bought by the York Buildings company. In 1722 as one of their improvements a wagonway was laid to carry coal from Tranent down to Port Seton Harbour. The rails were wooden and the wagons pulled by horses. The birth of Scotland's first "railway".

The Pond Hall

Cockenzie & Port Seton Swimming Pond was built and opened in 1932, the Pond Hall was then built in 1933.

The swimming pool, which had an Olympic standard high dive built by the locals, and the dancing in the Pond Hall were great attractions to locals and tourists alike but unfortunately both were closed by the Local District Council in 1993.

The clock from the Pond Hall is still situated close to its original site where it once sat proud atop the building, a small reminder to those from near and far that still carry fond memories of Cockenzie and Port Seton's Pond Hall.

The Cadells of Grange and Cockenzie

The Cadell family, from Haddington, eventually took over Cockenzie house and the business dealing in coal, salt and trade. They continued to thrive bringing much employment to the area. The Cadells were also part owners of the famous Carron Iron works near Falkirk. Members of the Cadell family lived in Cockenzie House until the middle of the last century.

The Secret Garden

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Goolwa Park

A son of the Cadell house, Francis, born in 1822, explorer and pioneer went to Australia and proved the feasibility of the Murray River as a commercial waterway. He recruited a group of Cockenzie sailors to assist him in this venture. Goolwa, near the mouth of the river, was their base and descendants of the men live in the area to this day. Strong connections still exist between Cockenzie and Port Seton and Goolwa including the local primary schools that have set up a link on the Internet. In recent years a green area created during the building of new housing was officially named Goolwa Park as part of the celebrations to mark the 150^th anniversary of the pioneering achievement of 1852.

Contact the community Council by sending an email to cockenzieandportseton@hotmail.com or alternatively, please see the Contact Us link below for more information on contacting the Community Council.