Lennoxlove House

Lennoxlove House stands in woodlands half a mile south of Haddington in East Lothian. The building began as a 15th-century tower called Lethington Castle and has been enlarged over the centuries. It is protected as a category A listed building and is recognised by Historic Scotland as one of Scotland’s most notable houses. The estate’s gardens and designed landscape are included on Scotland’s national inventory. The house has been the seat of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon since 1946. The house has strong ties to Scottish history and notable figures. Mary of Guise stayed here in 1548 during the Rough Wooing, and Regent Arran visited the same year. William Maitland of Lethington served as Secretary of State to Mary, Queen of Scots. The property passed through the Maitland, Blantyre, and Baird families before becoming the Hamilton seat. Sir Robert Lorimer oversaw major refurbishment in 1912. The house also holds a map and compass once carried by Rudolf Hess during his 1941 flight to Scotland. Visitors find a historic house with fine art and artefacts. The collection includes portraits by van Dyck, Canaletto, and Raeburn, as well as furniture and porcelain from Hamilton Palace. A silver jewellery box once belonging to Mary, Queen of Scots, is displayed here. The coach house, designed by Sir William Bruce around 1676, still stands on the estate. The house also hosts the Lennoxlove Book Festival each November. The wooded grounds and designed landscape offer peaceful walks.