Saturday 16^th September

2:00pm - 4:00 pm

Haddington is an historic market town which has more than made its mark on Scotland’s history. St Mary’s Church, in size and stature, stands as an authentic example of resilience over time. It has witnessed and survived two of the most dramatic episodes in the history of Scotland.

 St Mary’s withstood England’s occupation and fortification of Haddington - as battles raged in 1548/49 over the destiny and future marriage of Mary Queen of Scots. Shortly after in 1559/61, Haddington’s firebrand preacher John Knox instigated a fundamental change and direction for religion in Scotland - The Scottish Reformation. This change was marked by an almost wholesale destruction and dismantling of churches throughout the land. Yet St Mary’s stands today as a testament in stone, not just to these two significant events but as an interesting example of modern architectural renovation, when it was reroofed and restored just fifty years ago in 1973.

 Lorna Colvin-Maclean is a Committee Member of Haddington’s History Society and a professionally trained and recently qualified Tourist Guide for all of Scotland, with the Scottish Tourist Guide Association. During Lorna’s training she realised that St Mary’s Church is not just a beautiful church to attend or visit but that it is of immense historical importance which deserves to be more widely recognised.

 Dr Marie Macpherson is Convenor of Haddington’s History Society, published author of the highly acclaimed Knox Trilogy and is an accomplished and regular speaker at historical events.

 Please join Lorna and Marie at St Mary’s Church to explore in detail John Knox’s connection with Haddington and St Mary’s Church before, during and after the events of the Scottish Reformation. We’ll start inside the Church with a tour and presentation, then walk across the Nungate Bridge to see the most likely location of John Knox’s childhood home and finish our tour at the ruins of St Martin’s Kirk.

 This tour will appeal to new and life-long residents of Haddington who’d like to learn more about John Knox’s role and impact on St Mary’s Church before, during and after the Scottish Reformation.

 Cost: £10 (All funds raised will go to St Mary’s Church and Haddington’s History Society) Booking required

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