Living in Prestonpans

Living in Prestonpans

Sitting on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, Prestonpans is one of East Lothian's most historically rich towns — and one of its most accessible. Best known as the site of the 1745 Jacobite victory, the town wears its heritage proudly, with a working harbour, a celebrated community mural trail, and a strong sense of local identity. In recent years it has attracted growing interest from buyers priced out of Edinburgh who want genuine commuter convenience without sacrificing character. Ongoing regeneration in the wider area, including the major new Blindwells settlement nearby, is bringing fresh investment and new residents to this stretch of coast, while the town itself retains the feel of a close-knit Scottish community that has simply been polished up rather than transformed.

Schools and education

Families with younger children are well served locally. Prestonpans Primary School and Cockenzie Primary School are both within easy reach, offering straightforward community schooling in the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. Secondary pupils typically progress to Preston Lodge High School in Prestonpans, which covers S1–S6 and has an established reputation within the East Lothian authority. East Lothian Council oversees all catchment placements, and it is always worth confirming your specific address allocation directly with the council when purchasing a new-build, as catchments can shift as new phases of development are built out. For independent schooling, Edinburgh's extensive range of independent schools is within commuting distance by rail.

Transport and connectivity

The train connection is arguably Prestonpans's single greatest asset for buyers who work in the capital. Prestonpans railway station sits on the Edinburgh–North Berwick line, with ScotRail services running frequently throughout the day and reaching Edinburgh Waverley in around 20 minutes. This makes a daily commute genuinely manageable without a car. Road users benefit from swift access to the A1, which connects south towards the Borders and north into Edinburgh's outer ring, though peak-hour congestion on the A1 corridor is worth factoring in. Local bus services link Prestonpans to neighbouring towns including Tranent, Musselburgh and Haddington, useful for those making shorter trips without using the train. Edinburgh Airport is reachable in under an hour by road or by combining rail and tram.