Ancient Lothian: Historic Edinburgh and South-East Scotland

¤ the piper's stane
piper leaves spirit behind
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The Piper's Stane is a short rectangular stump set in a paved circle on the old village green area of Dirleton in East Lothian, on the West side of Dirleton Castle. Dirleton itself lies along the North side of the A198 between Gullane and North Berwick.

The Piper's Stane from the West
The Piper's Stane from the West

No doubt due to its depleted condition, the stone itself has rather obscure origins and is variously described as having been a pillar, a cross, or a standing stone. Given its position at the centre of the old village, it is possible that it was formerly the market cross, but no record of its actual original state or function appears to be available.

The Piper's Stane from the South
The Piper's Stane from the South

Local tradition names it The Piper's Stane, although this probably reflects a later association than any solid connection with its origin. Perhaps significantly, another piper legend exists within the grounds of the immediately adjacent Dirleton Castle. There, a square hole in a room within the castle is said to have originally been the entrance to a secret passage leading to Craigs Woods. The legend is that a piper once disappeared in the passage, playing his pipes until they faded into the distance, never to be seen again.

The Piper's Stane and Dirleton Green from the South
The Piper's Stane and Dirleton Green from the South

In the nineteenth century, it was described as being three feet high and triangular, but currently, is reduced to less than a foot, and is roughly rectangular.

Hand-Made in West Lothian, Scotland