Saltoun Hall

Saltoun Hall is a historic house in East Lothian, Scotland. It stands on extensive grounds off the B6355, between Pencaitland and East Saltoun. The house began as a tower in the 12th century under the de Morville family. Hugh de Morville held lands granted by King David I and founded Dryburgh Abbey. By 1260, the Abernethys owned the castle, and in 1445 Sir Lawrence Abernethy became Lord Saltoun. The Fletchers bought the estate in 1643 and still own some of the land today. The house has seen many changes over the centuries. In 1769, Lord Fletcher added a new wing, and in 1779 a library extension created an L-shaped building. Architect Robert Burn designed turrets in 1803, and his son William Burn transformed the interior in 1817. The Gothic Revival style includes rib vaulting and a Gothic gallery. The house is said to be haunted by a ‘grey lady’. A doocot on the estate is also a listed building. Visitors find a grand house with Gothic Revival interiors and rib-vaulted ceilings. The L-shaped layout centres on a ‘great stair’ in the library wing. Gothic galleries and Grecian-style rooms reflect William Burn’s work. The grounds include the remains of a 19th-century formal garden. Nearby, the Fletcher family still lives on part of the estate. The house’s castellated appearance and haunting legend add to its character.