The Saltire Festival
The Saltire Festival
The Saltire Festival is back for 2018 to celebrate St. Andrews Day and the Home of the Flag bringing together people from all over the world to celebrate Scotland's fascinating heritage, wonderful culture, delicious food & drink traditions, best of Scottish music, arts and entertainment.
To celebrate, there are a number of exciting events taking place around the county from 24th November - 6th December.
The Council's Arts Service is once again partnering the festival and has signed up a number of leading Scottish traditional music performers and award-winning artists to perform. Performers on the bill include John McCusker & Heidi Talbot, Tide Lines & Karen Matheson & Band.
The festival concludes with the Haddington 700 Concert featuring Siobhan Miller.
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If you're looking to stay overnight or make a weekend of it in East Lothian, there is a great range of accommodation on offer near to any of the venues. Please click here for more details.
Saltire Haddington Farmers' Market
Saturday 24th November, 9am-1pm, Court Street, Haddington
Come and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of Haddington Farmers' Market in the run up to St. Andrew's Day.
Stallholders will be tempting you with a selection of home produced specialities and you will be able to pick up your St. Andrew's Day menu so you can cook you're very own dishes at home.
Epicurean Encounter
Saturday 24th November, 5pm-10pm, Corn Exchange, Court Street, Haddington
A food and drink event organised by Haddington Wines & Whiskies celebrating the best of East Lothian & Scotland.
Introducing a range of local whisky & gin distilleries, breweries and wineries from biodynamic regions of the world, food tastings & encounter.
Some of them have a household name that has inspired images of fine wine, philanthropy, fine art and glamour.
Tickets are £6, available from Haddington Wines & Whiskies, 84 High Street, & Joe Forte Sports, 65 High Street, Haddington
Saltire Church Service
Sunday 25th November, 10am-11am, Athelstaneford Parish Church
Church service celebrating the Home of the Flag. At the end of the service, the Saltire Flag will be raised on the flagpole within the grounds of the church.
Saltire Raceday
Monday 26th November, Musselburgh Racecourse, Linkfield Road, Musselburgh
Celebrate the run up to St. Andrew's Day with the excitement of jump racing at Musselburgh Racecourse. Treat yourself to a great day out, take up position close to one of the hurdles or fences and watch the horses as they speed past the finish line.
Prestonpans Battlefield by Night
Wednesday 28th November, 7.30pm, meet at Meadowmill Car Park, EH33 1LZ
Join battlefield historian Arran Johnston for an atmospheric exploration of Prestonpans Battlefield, uncovering the forgotten story of the battle.
This walking tour visits many of the location's main landmarks, including Tranent churchyard, the waggonway fields & Bankton House Doocot. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing, torches recommended. Tour is free, last approx 2 hrs 30 and returns to the starting point. Spaces are limited so booking is recommended.
Heidi Talbot & John McCusker
Thursday 29th November, 7.30pm-9.30pm, Chalmers Memorial Church, Port Seton
Between them they have sharerd the stage with amongst others - Paul Weller, Mark Knopfler, Alison Krauss, James Taylor, Teenage FanClub.... Since 2008, John has been a member of Mark Knopfler's band, playing arenas around the world including a double bill with Bob Dylan at The Hollywood Bowl. 2016 saw John receive the Good Tradition Award and perform with his band at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards at The Royal Albert Hall.
Heidi has performed both as a solo artist and with the world famous ground Cherish The Ladies all over North and South America, the UK and Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Heidi has been nominated for Folk Singer of the year and Best Traditional Song by BBC Radio 2, Best Live Act by the Scottish Traditional Music Awards and Best Female Vocalist at The Irish Music Awards.
Tide Lines with Support
Friday 30th November, 8pm-11pm, The Brunton, Musselburgh
Their roots run from Hebridean Islands to Lochaber through Alness and Lossiemouth to the West End and South Side of Glasgow.
Forged from the literature and music of the areas, they grew up in Tide Lines meld romantic, rural life with a record collection of classic American songwriters.
Imagine, if you will, a 70s Springsteen and an E-Street band of bagpipes and electronics. It's a Tenth Avenue Freeze Out but not one made in New Jersey! www.tidelinesband.com
The support band will play from 8pm, with Tide Lines on stage from 9pm.
Foxlake 10K Night Run
Friday 30th November, 7pm, Foxlake Adventures, Dunbar
A night run with a party atmosphere! Part of the Foxtrail Winter Running Series - This race is something special... it's in the dark and Saltire themed. With a party atmosphere during and after the race, don the head torch, get involved with our blue and white theme or add a splash of tartan and enjoy a run through the woods lit blue and white to celebrate St. Andrew's Day.
The Saltire Concert - Karen Matheson & Band
Saturday 1st December, 7.30pm-9.30pm, The Brunton, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh
Widely recognised as the compelling vocals of Celtic super-group Capercaillie!
Karen was brought up immersed in the deep well of traditional songs that have been her inspiration for over 30 years.
As a solo performer, Karen has been involved in various projects of collaboration worldwide including the award winning BBC series Transatlantic Sessions, where over the last decade she has filmed tracks with artists like James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, The McGarrigle Sisters, Nanci Griffith, and a host of respected Scottish musicians.
Foxtrail Nocturnal Ultra
Saturday 1st December, 3pm, Foxlake Adventures, Dunbar
Part of the Foxtrail Winter Running Series - race start will be 4pm and for the next 6 hours participants will run a 5K loop competing to cover the most ground in 6 hours! Furthest distance wins, all under darkness. With both a solo event and a relay team event, you can choose to tackle the course on your own or share the challenge in a team.
Siobhan Miller Haddington 700 Concert
Thursday 6th December, 7.30pm, St. Mary's Parish Church, Haddington
Regarded as one of the foremost vocalists in Scotland, Siobhan Miller has won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Traditional Track, whilst also nominated for Folk Singer of the Year.
In the year since the release of her heralded second album, Strata, Siobhan's Radio 2 nominations came just a few months after she won Scots Singer of the Year at the BBC Alba Trad Music Awards 2017, for an unprecedented third time.
This concert has been specifically organised to mark the closing of the Haddington 700 festivities, a year long celebration of events marking the anniversary of Robert the Bruce's charter to the town. The date of the concert is being held on the exact date the charter was presented to the town in 1318.
Tickets available in person from Haddington at the John Gray Centre & Deli Box on Court Street or online below.