High Street looking West

High Street forms an east-west route through Tranent, crossing the southern end of Church Street. The High Street was very sparsely built-up until the nineteenth century when it became the main shopping street and trunk road.

Standing almost at the junction of the High Street with the Ormiston Road, looking west, the building with the large gas lamp above the doorway is the Crown Hotel. Formerly owned by James Sinclair of Caithness, who arrived in the town around 1900, the hotel was run for many years after his death by his Trustees. During wartime, the hotel was frequented by RAF airmen, based at Macmerry.

The property was eventually sold for conversion into flats and the public bar became the 'Belters'. Taken before the alterations to the Hotel were completed in 1913, this view shows shops opposite including the thriving business of Templeton, the ironmonger and cycle dealer.