How Musselburgh became the Honest Toun

In Musselburgh for the Honest Toun Daunder 100km Audax. An Audax is a type of long-distance road cycling event in which participants must navigate a route within a specified period of time. There are checkpoints along the way, which must be marked in the Brevet card.



It was a fast ride out to Dunbar, but from there back to Musselburgh was a bit of a slog. I caught all the controls, and got receipts to Dunbar, but I managed to miss one in North Berwick.



I can't complain though, the forecast was pretty dreadful for Sunday, and it turned out pretty nice, apart from the wind.


The Audax started and finished at Musselburgh Old Town Hall. In the square outside the building is this monument to Randolph, Earl of Moray.


The Musselburgh town motto “Honestas” dates back to 1332, when the Regent of Scotland, Randolph, Earl of Moray died here after a long illness. During his  illness, he was cared for by the town's inhabitants.

According to the Musselburgh Museum website:

His successor offered to reward the people for their loyalty but they declined, saying they were only doing their duty. The new regent, the Earl of Mar, was impressed and said they were a set of honest men, hence “Honest Toun”.