A successful open day was held at Preston Tower last month with the Easter Bunny paying a visit.
A significant amount of grant-funded repair work, valued at £1.1 million, has taken place at the tower, parts of which date back to the 15th century.
Work has included repairs to the doocot, installation of new interpretation boards, a new garden seating area around a carved stone contemplation circle, and new paths.
READ MORE: £1.1 million repair work at Preston Tower is nearing completion
The group behind the project, Friends of Preston Tower, enjoyed a ‘soft opening’ of the tower on March 30 with outdoor play activities and an Easter egg hunt on offer.
A spokesperson for Friends of Preston Tower said after the event: “The Friends of Preston Tower were delighted to host an open day over Easter with the focus on fun, families and children. There was storytelling, play activities and chocolate treats handed out by our special guest the Easter Bunny.
“Volunteers were on hand to answer questions about the overall project, but particularly about the design and installation of the new external stairs which will ultimately provide access to the heart of the tower for the first time in half a century. Feedback was generally very positive and it is clear that many local people can’t wait to gain entry to the tower, an opportunity that most have never enjoyed.
“Once the final work around the new stairs has been completed we are looking forward to our grand opening to which everyone will be welcome. Thereafter we plan to offer tours to schools, community groups and of course to the wider public.
“Clearly we find ourselves at an exciting stage in the development of Prestonpans’ heritage journey which is far from complete.”
Works on the new external staircase at the historic tower are continuing, with another coat of preservative "T-wash" still to be done and the treads and banister to be fitted.
Then the landscaping works beneath and around the staircase will be done. The project team are also looking at improving access to the ground floor undercroft with a specially constructed ramp to provide as near to level a surface as can be provided in an ancient scheduled monument.
DJ Johnston-Smith, chair of Prestonpans Community Council, added: “"We were delighted to see the first of what we hope will be many successful open days hosted by the new Friends of Preston Tower.
“Preston Tower Gardens were buzzing with activities provided by the East Lothian Play Association, local storyteller Tim Porteous and the new Friends group, supported by the East Lothian Council communities team and local Area Partnership.
“This amazing restoration project, primarily funded by the Scottish Government and overseen by East Lothian Council, will be transformative for Prestonpans once it is complete, offering local residents access once again to this significant scheduled monument in the heart of our town.
“However, it will only be possible to open it safely through the voluntary efforts of the Friends group. So we hope many more folk will come forward in the months ahead, offering to lend the occasional hour here and there, to assist their amazing efforts to staff the tower and doocot on regular open days and for school groups and other visitors."
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