Located on Sidegate, Haddington House is the oldest
domestic building within the town centre of Haddington and dates from
1648. The canopied doorway show a date of 1680 with the initials of
Alexander Maitland and his wife Katherine Cunninghame.
In 1972, Douglas, 14th Duke
of Hamilton, purchased the 1.59 acres of land in Sidegate to the
rear of Haddington House. These were formerly the private gardens of
17th. century Haddington House but had lapsed into a sad state of
decline.
The Duke of Haddington then formed Haddington Garden Trust, having
gifted the land to the Trust, becoming its first chairman until his
untimely death in 1973.
Owned by the Lamp of Lothian Trust, Haddington House is leased to a
local business. The stunning gardens are largely owned by Haddington
Garden Trust, a local organisation with strong historic links to The
Lamp of Lothian Trust.
One of the oldest houses in the town, Haddington House was saved from
dereliction by The Lamp of Lothian Trust as one of its first projects in
1967 Restored in 1969 by the architect W. Schomberg Scott . For many
years it was used as the Lamp's own offices but, since the mid 1990's,
it has been let to provide an important source of revenue to support the
Lamp's other charitable activities.
Restored in 1969 by the architect W. Schomberg Scott for the Lamp of
Lothian Trust. At the rear of the house is a traditional 17th century
garden, known as St. Mary's Pleasance, which is maintained by the
Haddington Garden Trust. It includes a wild meadow, sunken garden, and
orchard.
The coat of arms for the 14th Duke is located in the Apple House. As
yet, I have not located the remainder. Help would be welcomed!
Notes:
1. I have been given the following information:
The restoration was commissioned by my late grandmother Elizabeth Duchess of Hamilton, to bear the coat of arms for each of her sons: Angus, James, Hugh (my father), Patrick and David.
Source: Kitty Douglas-Hamilton
Ancillary information:
1. “Haddington House, a venerable old building, once the residence of one of the Lauderdale Maitlands, and latterly of James Wilkie, Esq., of Ratho-Byres and Gilchriston, was commonly called ‘Old Justice Wilkie.’ He died in 1825, at the advanced age of ninety-two. Mr. Wilkie was a much-esteemed gentleman. He was the first agent of the Bank of Scotland in Haddington. In his later days it was a beautiful sight to see the venerable gentleman coming down the steps of his house supported by his daughters, to enter his carriage for his daily drive at twelve o’clock precisely. He had two favourite black horses, Captain and Admiral. His house was the home of friendship and kind hospitality, both during his lifetime and that of his excellent and esteemed daughters, the Misses Wilkie, whose names, for their affability and kindness of heart, will be long remembered by all who knew them.”
John Martine, Reminiscences of the Royal Burgh of Haddington, Pg 52, Edinburgh 1883 John Menzies & Co
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