'Salt walk' takes a step back in time

MORE than 40 keen walkers from across Midlothian will take a step back in time tomorrow as they re-enact the famous 14th century Cistercian monks' "salt walk" from Newbattle Abbey College in Dalkeith to the beach in Prestonpans.

Students and staff from Newbattle Abbey College will be donning their walking shoes along with local residents and community groups, following almost exactly the same route that the monks took in the 1500s to pan for salt.

Rae McGhee, heritage officer at the college, said: "Newbattle Abbey College is steeped in history and the monks played a pivotal role from the 12th to the 16th century, when they occupied the abbey.

"We decided that the 'salt walk' would be an excellent way to share this history with the rest of the community."