Sgt.Rock Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Was talking to a born and bred Tranent person today: I said he must be a 'Tranenter' but he said folk from Tranent are known as 'Belters' ...but even he didn't know why. Anyone know the origins of this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Say What Again Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 No idea. This? http://www.tranent.info/webpages/The_Belters.pdf I worked with a guy from Newhaven who said he was a Bow-Tow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Rock Posted December 10, 2009 Author Share Posted December 10, 2009 No idea. This? http://www.tranent.info/webpages/The_Belters.pdf I worked with a guy from Newhaven who said he was a Bow-Tow That's a reasonable explanation of 'Belters' and as it's the only one we have so far, it must be right... Bow-Tows are, I think, marine pilots (they tow you into harbour by leading you by the bow of your boat). I guess maybe Newhaven was where a lot of the Forth pilots were based...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondejamtart Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 The tannery theory is apparently correct - my workmate, a born and bred Belter, assures me this is the case. There were several tanneries in the town, the best known being at the bottom end of Church Street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Tolbooth Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 I'm a Pale Merk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
systemx Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 The tannery theory is apparently correct - my workmate, a born and bred Belter, assures me this is the case. There were several tanneries in the town, the best known being at the bottom end of Church Street. This is the only explanation of the term Belter that I know .The toughness and footbal theories came about firstly during and after the 1st war( Lie Forrit Turnent was the rallying cry in the trenches)and secondly in the twenties and thirties when Tranent Juniors were at their peak. I think Speedie and Allan were both signed from Tranent before being killed in action Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feeno Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 If you're from Macmerry then you're from "The Blast" due to the old mining that used to occur. Belters are tramps, everyone of them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Currahee! Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 I'm a Pale Merk. A Pale merk indeed! Why are you called Pale merks again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maple Leaf Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 A different explanation for Belters is given here: http://memphisbagpipescom.blogspot.com/2009/09/scottish-towns-nicknames.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemclaren Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 A Pale merk indeed! Why are you called Pale merks again? Because people from Hawick stated that they don't have indoor toilets in Gala so..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy-y Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 gala was the last place in the borders to get inside toilets im reliably informed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Kidd Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 gala was the last place in the borders to get inside toilets im reliably informed! And Rosyth is a toilet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
systemx Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 A different explanation for Belters is given here: http://memphisbagpipescom.blogspot.com/2009/09/scottish-towns-nicknames.html it might not be true but a descrpition that I could fully describe to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
systemx Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 If you're from Macmerry then you're from "The Blast" due to the old mining that used to occur. Belters are tramps, everyone of them Not the most intelligent are you.The "Blast" refers to the the ironworks which were prevalent in Macmery.Blast furnace is where the name comes from. mod delete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cotter Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Not the most intelligent are you.The "Blast" refers to the the ironworks which were prevalent in Macmery.Blast furnace is where the name comes from. mod delete! I was also told it is due to the mines, not iron. I was also told this by one of the more intelligent belters I knew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feeno Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Not the most intelligent are you.The "Blast" refers to the the ironworks which were prevalent in Macmery.Blast furnace is where the name comes from. mod delete So the iron was just lying about on top of the ground, they didnt have to fish it out at all? Naw? Why were the furnace's there if not for the minin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feeno Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Might I add its only folk fi Tranent that refer to themselves as Belters everyone else calls them Tranenters. They also do a big T gesture wi their arms, like it means something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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