Battle of Prestonpans Jacobite Museum

Town Hall, High Street, Prestonpans, EH32 9AY

11am-4pm, Saturdays and Sundays

Group visits and school sessions available by arrangement

Our museum

Based in Prestonpans’ victorian Town Hall building, our museum tells the story of the 1745 battle and its context. The gallery contains an impressive diorama of the battlefield landscape, historical and archaeological artefacts, and a display of artworks from across the centuries. Part of the gallery is dedicated to Colonel James Gardiner, Prestonpans resident and the highest ranking casualty at the battle.

There are always two sections (10m) of the famous Prestonpans Tapestry on display at the museum. The sections on display are changed every few months, progessing the story and allowing all sections of the embroidery to be enjoyed in turn.

We are always pleased to welcome families to our museum, and children are invited to visit our Kids’ Camp. We have regular children’s craft activities too, so be sure to follow us on Facebook for all the latest news.

Hundreds of school children have now enjoyed our special School Visits, which can be booked by teachers for weekdays. Find out more here.

The museum also hosts regular events and activities, from historical talks to costumed interpretation days. Keep up to date by following us on social media.

In our Jubilee Room, we host a range of supporting temporary exhibitions on diverse themes relating to our collection. You can find out what is currently showing by visiting the Special Exhibitions page.

Virtual Visit

(use your cursor to explore the image, following the orange hotspots)

The Town Hall building

Prestonpans Town Hall was built in 1896 to designs by the local architect Peter Whitecross. The stone was sourced quarried in Edinburgh and Dumfriesshire, and local craftsmen carried out the work. The hall was officially opened in August 1897 by Richard Haldane, who was then the MP for Haddingstonshire (now East Lothian) for 26 years. Since it opened, the hall has been used for public meetings and social functions, and even as sleeping quarters for weary “soldiers” after re-enactments of the Battle of Prestonpans! After years of declining use, the Trust leased the Town Hall building in 2021. Following a year of renovations and preparation, the Battle of Prestonpans Jacobite Museum was officially open on 30 April 2023.

In August 2023, we marked the 125th anniversary of the Town Hall by holding a re-enactment of the original opening ceremony of 1897. You can see footage of the event here.