The ‘Honest Toun’ is a place that, to some extent, sits on its own. Part of Midlothian until its governance transferred to East Lothian in 1975. The size of Musselburgh’s population and the scale and range of its economy has, for long, reflected its historic status as a burgh. Industry having been a key aspect of that large and diverse economy. Beginning in the nineteenth century through to the late twentieth century, three large industrial endeavours were based in the town: Stuarts Net Mill; Bruntons Wire Mill and Inveresk Paper Mill.
This film tells the story of these mills through the words of those who worked and lived in the town and beyond. In partnership with the John Gray
Centre and Musselburgh Museum, the EERC interviewed a number of folk about their experiences in the mills. This film provides an introduction into
these very different workplaces which were such a significant part of the Town’s life for well over 100 years.
Mark Mulhern, 2024
Editor: Colin Gateley
Music by: Enid Forsyth
Moving images: Courtesy of moving Image Archive, National Library of Scotland