FEARS over rats and fires at historic Harlaw Hill House have been raised by residents.

The Category A-listed building, which is privately owned, is one of Prestonpans’ most historic buildings but has long been in a state of severe disrepair due to a lack of maintenance.

The elderly owner moved out of the property in 2015 and it has lain vacant ever since.

A fire broke out there in 2022, causing further damage.

READ MORE: Firefighters battle large fire at Harlaw Hill House

Now, fresh concerns from neighbours about rats at the site have prompted renewed calls for something to be done about the dilapidated house.

The Courier spoke to a number of residents who live close by, hearing claims that the area was infested with rats.

Alison Grant-MacDonald, next-door neighbour to the house, supplied the Courier with multiple videos of a number of rats scurrying around her front garden and on the walls between the properties.

She also spoke of her “continual battle” against the overgrown ivy there.

She said: “We are just getting loads of rats and they dive under our floorboard, which creates such a stench.

“This led me to call environmental health and the council.

“To add to the problems, we have had to cut and pull down the ivy on the wall because it could pull the wall down and that could cause serious damage to our property.

“A few weeks ago, we had to go over the wall and cut it down ourselves but it is a continual battle.

“We have had lots of [malicious] fires as well.

“The house is historical and the council should step in and do something with it.”

READ MORE: Concerns for the future of historic Harlaw Hill House

Morag Thomson, 56, has lived beside the property for about 18 years.

She said: “It’s a shame that the house has been left to deteriorate.

“I watched as the roof over the entrance fell apart and lived with the road being closed for several years.

“The overgrown vegetation is a real concern as I live next door.

“We have had nesting pigeons in the ivy, rats, foxes and currently there is a squirrel running over the property.

“I have spent my own money getting the ivy cut down, as it comes over the wall at both the front and back.

“I’ve contacted the council a number of times over the years and both my previous and current MSP. I do realise that the property is privately owned; however, there have been a number of fires and there is an environmental health risk.

“I would just like to see something being done or someone taking ownership.”

Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “In the past few years, we have had fires and I think it is such a shame that a house like this is going to waste.

“I do not see rats on a daily basis but I have seen some scurrying on the ground near my house. We did have chickens for a few years and unfortunately we did have to get rid of them after sightings of rats occurred because they were infested.”

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “We hope that work to protect this historically important building will progress quickly.

"It is not in council ownership but we have worked to help secure the property from a public safety perspective to prevent access and to manage the risks from anti-social behaviour.

"We have also been involved in pest control actions and will continue to monitor the situation and take action when required.”