East Lothian wheat field from Athelstaneford Kirk

Image: © kim traynor Taken: 10 Aug 2010

Here at a glance one can see why the Romans wanted to occupy the land south of the Forth. It is on record that they were impressed by the volume of wheat found in this area which could be used to feed their northern legions. Centuries later, Oliver Cromwell was equally impressed, but felt that the locals let the place down. He wrote, "I thought I should have found in Scotland a conscientious people and a barren country; about Edinburgh it is as fertile for corn as any part of England, but the people [are] generally given to the most impudent lying and frequent swearing, as is incredible to be believed."

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