HADDINGTON

HADDINGTON, COUNTY OF, otherwise called East Lothian, is bounded by Mid Lothian on the west; on the north by the frith of Forth; on the east by the German ocean; and it is separated from the county of Berwick by the Lammermuir hills. It is about 25 miles long, and from 12 to 16 broad, being reputed one of the most fertile counties in the kingdom, producing abundance of wheat and every species of grain. Even the mountainous part of it towards the south is admirably adapted to the rearing of sheep. The inhabitants on the sea coasts employ themselves in fishing, making of salt, foreign trade, and the exportation of corn. Several branches of the linen and woollen manufacture have been established in the interior of the county, and are in a flourishing condition. There is a manufacture of sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) established at Prestonpans, and one for sal ammoniac near the same place.

It contains three royal boroughs, viz. Haddington, North Berwick, and Dunbar; besides a number of well peopled villages and towns, such as Tranent, Prestonpans, Aberlady, Dirleton, &c. In this county also there are many seats of noblemen and gentlemen, such as those of the duke of Roxburgh, marquis of Tweeddale, earl of Haddington, Lord Blantyre, earl of Wemyss, Lord Elbink, earl of Hopetoun, Sir James Hall, May of Drummelzier, &c. &c. In this county there is abundance of coal of an excellent quality, of freestone and lime-stone; ironstone is found in the parish of Humbie, and in the vicinity of Stenton there are some traces of an ore of lead. It is divided into 24 parishes. The population in 1801 amounted to 29,986 souls, and the actual rent of the whole has been estimated at 168,8781. 5s. 10d. sterling. The following table exhibits a view of the population of this county, according to the Statistical History of Scotland.