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Pretty village and home of the Saltire, supposedly derived from a white cross of clouds against a blue sky during the battle of Athelstaneford in 832. The Saxon name of the village does not hint that the Northumbrians lost, and control of the South east of Scotland passed to the Scots and Picts. It was not that long since Saxon supplanted Welsh as the local language, their place names remain too with Tranent and Pencraig as examples.
©Richard Webb
The village gets its name from a possibly legendary battle between the Picts and the Scots when they combined forces to defeat the Northumbrian king Athelstane.
©Calum McRoberts
Dist:0.1km<br/>The St. Andrew's Cross flies eternally in Athelstaneford Kirkyard in commemoration of a famous victory near here in the 9th century. A combined army of Scots and Picts defeated an Angle army from Northumbria. King Angus of the Picts is said to have had a vision and divine intervention from St Andrew. He told his combined army and they were inspired to victory. The St. Andrew's Cross was adopted and the Saint became Patron of all Scotland. The scene was set for the union of Scots and Picts, a Nation was born.
©james denham
Dist:0.1km<br/>The hall was built by subscription and opened in 1929. A memorial to Robert Blair stands in front of the building.
©Walter Baxter
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©Richard Webb
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©Richard West
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©Richard West
Dist:0.1km<br/>This obelisk in front of the village hall is in memory of Robert Blair (1699-1746) minister of the parish of Athelstaneford and author of The Grave. For a full view of the village hall and the memorial, see [[[2290292]]].
©Walter Baxter
Dist:0.1km<br/>Looking over rich arable land at Athelstaneford, with the Doocot's shadow in the foreground. Tradition has it that Scotland's flag originated in a battle fought near here in the Dark Ages.
©Mary and Angus Hogg
Dist:0.1km<br/>Stuff the nearby "Flag Heritage Centre" as the sentimental separatist myth-making mischief and nationalist nonsense (funded by UK tax-payers via Historic Scotland) that will surely proliferate as the new nationalist administration at the wee pretend "Parliament" in Edinburgh festers discontent in its manic determination to destroy the United Kingdom. Here's an alternative celebration of Scotland - of the Scottish architectural tradition and good, competent local government.
©Richard West
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©Richard West
Dist:0.1km<br/>Deep joy! A beautiful remnant of a more civilised age. A close-up of the very fine East Lothian County Council fingerpost at Athelstaneford.
©Richard West
Dist:0.1km<br/>Fantastic - a fingerpost with gloved fingers. Hats off to the former East Lothian County Council!
©Richard West
Dist:0.1km<br/>Another very fine East Lothian County Council (as was) fingerpost.
©Richard West
Dist:0.2km<br/>This is a view to the centre of the small East Lothian village from Seaton Law in the adjacent square to the south. North Berwick Law is in the background and a low flying microlight is to the far left.
©Walter Baxter

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