Tranent

Tranent boasts a real sense of community – with various clubs, committees and well known, local sports teams. The town is a showcase for both old and new architecture, much like the nearby Scottish capital, Edinburgh. There are modern amenities on your doorstep, coupled with plenty of woodland trails and fields on the outskirts, with the coast only a short drive away. Tranent blends heritage and environment perfectly for a balanced lifestyle for all ages.

Where is Tranent, and what’s around it?

Nestled in a developing area of East Lothian, Tranent is perched upon a gentle slope. Located about a mile inland from the shore, the town enjoys lovely views over the Firth of Forth.

Surrounded by lush green moors, intertwined with commuting routes to all East Lothian and beyond. Tranent offers the best of both worlds: proximity to the rural countryside and the city centre. It comes with the advantage of cleaner air and greener vistas than Edinburgh, as well as a considerably cheaper cost of living. Ideal for commuters and home-workers alike.

A Brief History of Tranent

This peaceful town is one of East Lothian’s eldest. Tranent’s recorded history dates back to the 1100s. The town is peppered with historic buildings, all with their own tales to tell. Fa’side Castle – with many a pseudonym as “Fawside”, “Falside”, “Ffauside”, “Fauxside”, and “Fawsyde” – is a 15th century keep. It lays 2 miles south-west, on the outskirts of the town. The ever-changing names for the keep alone are a fascinating look at the development of language in Scotland.

Tranent’s history isn’t all too serene. Perhaps the most prominent event involves Jackie Crookston, who become a martyr for the town. In August 1797, Crookston organised a women’s protest march in response to the ‘The Scottish Militia Act of 1797’. This law conscripted able-bodied men between the ages of nineteen and twenty-three into the Scottish military. Protestors used a drum beat to call out “no militia” to intimidate landowners and justices on the ballot committee. Crookston was killed as the ringleader for the protest. A statue was built in her honour in 1995. This now prominent landmark stands in Tranent’s civic square, at the base of the High Street.

What’s in Tranent?

Whilst Tranent is considered a ‘suburb’ there is no need to venture far for amenities. It enjoys an inviting high street, full of independent retailers and cosy, traditional pubs. Residents benefit from two supermarkets – Asda and Aldi, combined with the variety of shops and deli’s – locals are spoilt for choice.

Tranent is thriving with leisure facilities. It hosts a public library, as well as a dedicated sports and community hub: ‘The Loch Centre’. This public building allows people of all ages to make use of the 25m swimming pool, multipurpose sports hall, dance studios, gym, and children’s soft play area. For sports enthusiasts, there’s a variety of football and rugby pitches open to the public and are in use by local teams.

For the more theatrically inclined, The Fraser Centre is set at the foot of the high street. It hosts a variety of shows in theatre, music, and comedy. It also offers workshops, group classes and cinema nights.

If you’re looking for a day out shopping, Fort Kinnaird Retail Park is nearby – only 10 minutes by car. It has many major stores, coffee shops, restaurants, supermarkets, as well as a cinema complex, and a state-of-the-art gym.

Notable Annual Events in Tranent

Throughout the year, Tranent takes part in traditional events, such as the Children’s Gala in the summer. The town has a public space called Polson Park, which features a lovely bandstand and tennis courts. The park is usually home to the November fireworks displays. It also hosts a variety of fundraising events and local performances throughout the year.

Local Schools

Tranent has a range of public and private nurseries. Both primary and secondary schools are in the heart of the town. Tertiary and higher education are on offer in neighbouring Musselburgh at Edinburgh College and Queen Margaret University. Edinburgh’s universities are also commutable, and are world renowned institutions, particularly in STEM fields.

Transport around Tranent

The A1 Road to Edinburgh, regular bus services, and Prestonpans train station are all nearby. Commuting into the city and surrounding areas is quick and easy. Once in the city, Edinburgh is home to a thriving, modern airport, accessed quickly via tram or bus. It flies to a myriad destination across the planet.

Tranent’s Property Market

There is strong demand for property in Tranent, which goes in part to explain the volume of housing developments – such as Blindswells – just outside the town. Many people, since the advent of the 2021 pandemic, are looking for more space and better scenery for their homes. The cost-of-living crisis of 2022 has exacerbated the need for reasonably priced homes. The combination of these desires makes Edinburgh unrealistic for many, and Tranent even more appealing.

This is evidenced by Tranent’s record for house sales. Most properties sell within a couple of weeks on the market, averagely sold for just under 10% of the home report value. House prices are, on average, around £227,000, almost a whole £100,000 less than Edinburgh’s.

Properties on the market in Tranent are not all new builds. With a variety of flats in the town centre and larger homes nearby and the outskirts – even cottages can be found on the market here. Many of these homes are historic and full of characterful properties. There really is something available for everyone, from first-time buyers to retirees alike. Just make sure to move on a Tranent property quickly!

Should You Live in Tranent?

Tranent is perfect for anyone seeking a balanced quality of life, with both sprawling nature and beautiful urban hotspots nearby. Tranent’s property market is accessible and growing – it would make a brilliant home for those looking to be part of a community.

We, at Garden Stirling Burnet, pride ourselves on helping our clients find their dream home. With over 30 years of experience under our belt, we know the market incredibly well. We’ll provide advice and inspiration every step of the way when you’re searching for your perfect property.

We can assist with the whole process of buying or selling your home. Even before this, we offer a free pre-sale valuation and no up-front estate agency fees. Our expert Conveyancing team are sure to get the job done.

Come in for a chat with our lovely team in Tranent, or at one of our other three offices across East Lothian. Or give us a call on 01620 825 368 to get free advice on Tranent’s bustling property market.