Don't let us town in city status move

THEY may have a combined population of just 23,000, but two Lothian towns could soon find themselves classed as cities if a new campaign is successful.

Both Haddington in East Lothian and Linlithgow in West Lothian were historically considered cities, but that changed when the Local Government Act of 1973 was introduced, establishing four city authorities in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee.

Now Robert McEwan, 81, a local historian and former engineer, has lodged a parliament petition to put things back to the way they were.

He said there did not appear to be any criteria in Scotland for designating an area as a city.

"Generally they have had to have a royal charter in the form of letters patent (formal open proclamation] that grants city status," he said. "But there's no official recognition for the old cities of Scotland and they should be recognised as such.

He added: "I would like the Scottish Parliament to consider allocating Scottish towns ancient prescriptive usage, which would allow Haddington and Linlithgow residents to decide if they wish to become a city."

• Should Haddington and Linlithgow be granted city status once again? Vote here

Mr McEwan said England bestows the title of city through ancient prescriptive usage and argued it should be the same here.

He said: "I've been arguing with the authorities about this since 2000, but we only just submitted the petition to the Scottish Parliament this week."

In 2001, Inverness was granted city status, followed by Stirling a year later for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The former city of Perth is bidding to have the title reinstated as part of a UK-wide competition to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year.

In East Lothian, Haddington sits in an area which boasts some of the most expensive property prices in Scotland. It was one of the first areas to be given burghal status, granting it trading rights to allow it to flourish into a market town.

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray, who is running for re-election in the East Lothian constituency, said: "I think it's an interesting idea. I'm not sure how far it will get but as the MSP for East Lothian I will always stand up for Haddington and what the people of Haddington want, so let's see when the petition comes forward."

Linlithgow is famous for being the birthplace of James V and Mary, Queen of Scots. It was also where First Minister Alex Salmond was born.

He said: "Linlithgow is a proud royal burgh that always has my full support."The SNP has big plans for Scotland's cities with a dedicated cities minister."

He added: "Just as we are backing Perth for city status, if the people of Linlithgow want to have the royal burgh recognised as a city then they will have my backing."