Garvald

Many of the houses in the pretty village of Garvald which is 6.5miles (10km) from Haddington are built from rose-coloured freestone from a nearby quarry. This stone is similar to sandstone and easily carved by the ‘freemasons’ who work it. The impressive St Mary’s Church in Haddington is built from the same freestone.

All around the Garvald area are the remains of prehistoric houses, stone circles and burial cairns. Limekilns were also a common feature. Built into hillsides, the kilns combined coal and limestone to produce agricultural lime. This was added to the soil, reducing acidity and producing better crops.

It’s difficult to imagine as you stand in this genteel village that Garvald once had two breweries, three public houses, shops, blacksmiths, coopers and other trades!