The Tron

Whilst getting a bit lost in East Lothian in March 2025 we came across the village of Stenton, 6 miles west of Dunbar. The Tron caught my eye as we whizzed past and we made a quick stop to have a closer look at it.

The simple monument was made from a timber post with a metal weighing balance beam at the top forming a cross shape. It is believed that the word 'tron' comes from the old French word tronel or troneau, meaning balance. You can see the hooks at both ends which held the weights and goods on market days. There is also a plaque on a brick base which reads:

The Tron: restored to commemorate the Girl Guides Association 1910 - 1970.

The original tron was situated in the same spot on East Green and as well as markets, would have witnessed public meetings and punishments. Markets began in 1681, when the Hamilton family secured an act which meant a market was held in the village every week, and a fair was held there twice a year. Markets were held at Stenton from 1681 until the 1850s, where grain, hides and wool were measured on the tron and sold to customers.

Certain areas of Scotland had their own units of measurement in the Middle Ages and these weights would be used on market day. However, units of weight weren't uniform and differed from burgh to burgh. In 1824, an act was introduced to bring uniformity in weights across Scotland and imperial weights began to become the standard all over the country.

The Tron was a new one on me, and I'm not sure if there are any more still standing anywhere else. Stenton is a very peaceful little village which also has a pretty church with a doocot in its graveyard where we spent 5 minutes or so. You can see the doocot in the photo below, and you can smell it from miles around.

Worth a little wander if you're also lost in East Lothian.