The Lochend Stones: The Siege of Dunbar Stone

This stone is positioned in the west of the woods adjacent to path junction near to a circle of old yew trees. It appears like part of a ruined stone chair with a series of carvings depicting the events of the 1338 Siege of Dunbar Castle on one side. In January the castle came under an English siege led by William Montagu, 1st Earl of Salisbury. Agnes Randolph Countess of Dunbar successfully defended the castle for 153 days. 

The carving shows Agnes at the centre dusting off the bombarded battlements while a large stone is dropped on the English 'sow' or battering ram below. An English knight is struck by an arrow fired from the castle as Salisbury looks on from his horse. During the final months of the siege the English attempted to starve out the castle's inhabitants. However, the castle was eventually relieved in June by a force led by Sir Alexander Ramsay of Dalhousie when a boat laden with supplies quietly slipped past the blockade under cover of darkness. To signal that the castle had been resupplied Agnes had a freshly baked loaf launched over the walls into the English camp. A shield to the right bears the Dunbar coat of arms at the time of a lion rampant within a border of roses.

Agnes' successful defence of the castle is remembered in the saying, 'Cam I early, cam I late, I found Agnes at the gate.'

The Lochend Stones (May the Fates Provide a Quiet Seat) are seven carved stone artworks by artist James Winnett that form a trail through Lochend Woods in Dunbar. The stones appear as curious ruins with each stone carrying a carving that draws on an historical event that has taken place nearby.

The land on which the stones reside was once part of the Barony of Lochend, a large estate that surrounded Lochend House. Part of the ruins of the original 17th century house can still be seen in the woods. This house was replaced by a 19th century mansion that was destroyed by fire in 1859 and of which there is no trace today. When researching the history of the area James was struck by the stark contrast between the peaceful nature of the woodland today and the often tumultuous events that have played out across the surrounding landscape – with two battles, a five month siege and disastrous fires all playing out in this same corner of East Lothian. 

The project title draws on a motto that until relatively recently could be found carved into a stone lying next to the ruins of the 17th century Lochend House. A survey from 1962 describes it as follows: 

“On a panel lying beside the gateway is carved an heraldic achievement. Beneath a heavy crest and mantling is a shield charged with nine stars (the Baillie arms) and below is the legend SEDES DENT FATA QUIETAS ('May) the fates give a quiet seat') and the initials 1 B.”

There is no sign of the inscription today, suggesting it has been lost over time or perhaps removed in a similar fashion to the impressive arched gateway which was re-erected at Leithen Lodge, Innerleithen in 1992.

The project explores the idea of hoping for a 'quiet seat', both in terms of 'a seat of power' but also as a quiet place to sit and take in the sites, sounds and scents of the surrounding woodland. Several of the stones function as seats, and although their carved panels speak of the area's turbulent history, they encourage the passer-by to sit and look out onto the world of the present.

The limestone blocks were sourced from Dunbar Quarry which lies just two miles away to the east. By gradually polishing the surface of the stones intricate details of fossil corals from over 320 million years ago were revealed, foregrounding a sense of deep time. Like the carvings these fossils have their own story to tell – one of warm, crystal-clear tropical seas when the land we now call Scotland was located to the south of the equator. Known as 'Dunbar Marble' this particular type of limestone was once quarried for use in decorative fireplaces. 

The designs for the artworks were developed through a research and community engagement programme involving several stone carving workshops that took place in the woods. Workshops were also held at Dunbar Primary and Belhaven Hill Schools.

The project was developed in conjunction with Dunbar Community Woodland Group who manage the woods. It was funded by Persimmon Homes through East Lothian Council’s Percent for Art scheme. The stones were donated by Tarmac from Dunbar Cement Plant.