Collection Highlights 

We have a wide variety of collections in store which are not on permanent display. This can be for a number of reasons. Some objects are too delicate to be displayed for long periods, others have been moved here from North Berwick Museum after its closure in 2002.

Here we highlight some of our favourites from inside the stores..... 

Object: Haddington Toll Ticket

Museum Accession Number: 1996.403.3

Title: N/A

Chosen by: David Anderson

Who: Museum Assistant, John Muir's Birthplace

Why: The toll ticket reminds us that our current debates over road use are nothing new. In the 18th century turnpike trusts were the stimulus for a national network of truck and local roads, maintained and improved by revenues generated from levying tolls. They were a simple fact of life for any traveller until the middle of the 19th century and although former toll houses are all over East Lothian there are few other tangible reminders. For every toll paid a ticket was issued, to be shown at subsequent gates to the limit paid. This one survived behind some panelling in a Haddington house and must be counted extremely rare.