Proud East Lothian son whose dad built Brunton Theatre 'devastated' by closure

Peter Mcilwraith operated the crane that constructed Brunton Theatre in the early 1970s.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A Musselburgh resident whose father helped build the Brunton Theatre has spoken of the “devastating” news of its impending demolition.

Thomas Mcilwraith, a self-proclaimed “Musselburgh born and bred” local, recalls his father Peter Mcilwraith being part of the original construction team who erected the hall.

The beloved community centre in Musselburgh was opened by the Queen Mother in 1971 and has served as a pillar of the community ever since - hosting concerts, theatre productions, and weddings.

READ MORE - Hundreds sign petition to 'save' East Lothian theatre facing demolition

READ MORE - Councillors back closure of Musselburgh Brunton Theatre but promise it will return

Locals have expressed their sadness and anger about the site’s demolition with many recalling fond memories of events held at the hall.

Edinburgh Live reported on the petition signed by thousands of residents calling for a new arts centre to be built in place of Brunton Theatre, as many reminisce about their connection to the venue.

Thomas Mcilwraith, 62, has a strong connection to Brunton Theatre.
Thomas Mcilwraith, 62, has a strong connection to Brunton Theatre.

Thomas said: “My father was a tower crane operator and worked in cranes throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians including the crane used to build the Brunton Hall.

“My first awareness of the Hall was when my mother took us to watch my dad operating the crane to construct it around 1969 or 1970.

“I remember my dad waving to us at the top of the crane and I remember watching him lift the concrete panels into place with great precision. He lifted every panel into place on that hall. He put the walls up.”

The 62-year-old said Peter’s work on the Brunton Hall was his final job as a crane operator before becoming a coal miner at the Bilston Glen coal mine.

Peter sadly passed away in 2004 at age 61.

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Councillors voted on Tuesday to close the hall due to the expenses associated with repairing the building. The theatre was closed after the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the roof was found to be deteriorating.

Thomas spoke on the impact the closure has had on the Musselburgh community.

He said: “The whole of Musselburgh is saddened. It’s been the landmark and pillar of Musselburgh for 50 to 60 years. The town really is upset about it, it’s devastating news.

“Everyone’s got memories. I have family members that were married in the Brunton Hall, we registered the births of our kids there. It really was the hub.

“And we feel we’re completely in the dark. If it gets demolished, what’s the policy going forward? Are we getting a replacement venue? People are looking for answers about what the future holds. We need a replacement.”

Thomas added that the hall was important for people across the Lothians, saying: “It’s not just a Musselburgh thing. People come from all over East Lothian and Edinburgh to use Brunton Hall. That’s the biggest loss.”

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