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Spott Attractions
East Lothian
Spott Village
East Lothian
Spott village grew around the estate of Spott House circa 1280
The war memorial in Spott dates from 1920 and was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer
Spott House
East Lothian
Spott (Spote) was a Tower House until redesigned circa 1840. It is believed that a tower has been on this site prior to 1300. Spott House was visited by many famous people throughout history. One which was James VI when he was treated to a banquet at Spott in October 1600 by the then owner Sir George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar. The present house which has been changed over the centuries dependent on the owners of the time.
This present house was restored circa 2000.
Witches Stone
East Lothian
Spott was where the last executions of the Scottish witch-hunts of the 17th and 18th centuries, when several witches were executed at Spott Loan in October 1705 by burning.
St John's Holy Well
Spott
East Lothian
This spring water well dedicated to St John was sacred to the monks of Coldinghame and an annual pilgrimage was made by the monks. The Monks present in Coldingham circa 1098 and the Knights Templars presence at Coldingham could be how the well was named.
This holy well is located across the road from Spott House on the slop near the burn 100 m north west of the church.
Spott Parish Church
Spott church has little known about it but may have been a chapel for the occupants of Spott House. There is recorded history of a Chapel / Church in Spott from before 1500. The building at the gate was used by a watchman to deter bodysnatchers. The ‘jougs’ still hanging outside the east door, this was used in stopping offenders of the church from attending the service, whereby the individual was held by the neck while the church service took place. A common practice at the time. for more on the church history go to their website www.spottchurch.org.uk.
Doon Hill
East Lothian
Doon Hill is on of the most important historic finds in Britain.
A settlement on Doon Hill was found in 1964 and it is believed to be of two separate dwellings built in two different times, the first dated, Earlier Neolithic (Late Stone Age) Around 6,000 years and the later believed to be Bronze Age about 2000 years ago. There is also evidence of Bronze age Graves and a structure (possible Chapel).
Doon Hill is where Leslie camped over night with his covenanter Army on the 2nd September 1650 before
Cromwell's army crushed the Scots fighting for the English throne for Charles II of Scotland.
The monument marking the Battle site can be found on the A1087 Dunbar road off the A1 going south.
Broomhouse Stone
East Lothian
Broomhouse Standing stone made of red sandstone at 9 ft high stands overlooking the sea on a hill. Visible on the stones surface is three cup marks believed to be inscriptions and are seen on many Standing stones. The standing stone could date back to Iron age as many Iron age site have been discovered in East Lothian.
Battle of Dunbar 1296
John Balliol became King of Scots in 1292 after arbitration by Edward I who decided that Balliol would be helpful to him at a later date. However this did not happen due to the demands of Edward John rebelled and a war ensued. On the 27 April 1296 an English force which was part of the army that had Dunbar under siege defeated the army of Scots at the Spott burn prior to Edward I arrival with the main English forces on the 28th April when Dunbar Castle surrendered to Edward I. John Balliol King of Scots was forced to abdicate on the 8th July at Montrose, where he was stripped of his Royal regalia leaving the Scottish Throne vacant. It was only 10 months before William Wallace humiliated the same English Army at Stirling Bridge and sent the English running.