Interviews of Ian Coltart

In this interview, retired minister, Ian Coltart, talks about his faith and his life in Dunbar. Ian, who moved to Dunbar on retirement nine years ago, recalls early holidays to North Berwick which, when the weather was too cold or wet for the beach, would include day trips to Dunbar. He recalls what Dunbar was like then, remembering it as a very busy place, partly due to the fact that all the London traffic passed through the High Street at that time.

Ian is very interested in local history and he talks about this in detail, mentioning particular buildings or events from the past. One example is a discussion about some chinks in the wall (below the window) at the sorting office which, he speculates, might have been used as a step-up by telegram boys collecting messages or by the night policeman, checking all was well with the safe in the post office. He also talks about Cromwell and the 2015 Battle of Waterloo celebrations.

Ian also talks about the local community and his concern that many of the people who have moved into the new houses aren’t getting involved in Dunbar life. He talks about his own involvement in the local walking group and with the Ridge project and his continuing involvement with the church.

Reflecting on faith, Ian describes his own conversion to Christianity and his decision to become a minister. He also talks about his belief that church attendance works on a cycle, explaining that he thinks faith will become more prominent again in the future. That said, he also reflects on the great amount of faith work being done by faith groups outwith the more traditional church environment, citing both a London project and the Bethany trust in Edinburgh, which both do a huge amount of work in their communities to help vulnerable people.

Other subjects covered in this interview include the in-shore fishing industry on the east coast, community life, local services such as the trains and the lifeboat and interesting buildings (and material culture) in Dunbar.