Quick Overview

A1 Poster by Andrew Hillhouse :   On 20th September the Jacobite army marching from Edinburgh had reached Tranent, looking down on the British forces at Prestonpans.  The boggy morass between these settlements prevented an attack, and so the Jacobites performed a flanking march at 4 a.m. on 21st September.  They entered the Riggonhead defile three abreast, taking the risk that the pass was unguarded and would bring them within striking distance of the enemy.  Sir John Cope had posted around 500 picquets to monitor the perimeter, lighting up the landscape with their watch fires, but they did not detect the Jacobite movements until they arrived on the plain. The main British camp was situated towards Cockenzie.  The western approach to Cope's position was obstructed by the estates of Bankton House and Preston House, whilst Preston Tower, Hamilton House and Northfield House are also identifiable.