Scotland’s most expensive home comes back to market

Seton Castle has been brought to market, for offers over £8m.

The restoration of a Robert Adam’s castle is situated a few miles to the east of Edinburgh, having originally been built for one of the historic families of Scotland in 1789.

Located near Longniddry, the four story mansion house has 13 bedrooms and 13 acres of gardens and parkland.

The property features a variety of secret staircases and hidden doors, turrets and parapets, as well as a working stable, 10,000-bottle wine cellar, bar, billiard room, gym, cinema and helipad.

The estate also includes three other properties: two three-bedroom self-contained cottages, The Darnley and The Bothwell, as well as The Hideaway, a suite at the top of a turreted spiral staircase.

It was owned by the Wemyss family from 1796 until 2003 and was built on the site of Seton Palace, the historical seat of the Earls of Winton, where Mary Queen of Scots used to stay. According to Tatler, following the Fifth Earl’s fall from grace, the palace fell into 75 years of neglect and was eventually demolished in 1789 and replaced with Seton Castle.

In 2007, it went on the market for the first time, selling for £5m and becoming Scotland’s most expensive private home. Then in 2019, it went back on the market.

James Whitson, director of residential sales at Rettie Edinburgh, commented: “This really is a Robert Adam Masterpiece, that has been restored to the finest calibre, to create a superb family home.

“I have memories as a child from 10 years old, attending boxing day lunches there for years, and I never thought that in my later life and property career I would have the honour of selling this magnificent castle three times.”

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