With an unpardonable want of taste and respect for historical associations, Mr. Mackenzie pulled down this splendid structure and erected in its place an incongruous tasteless building, which has frequently been used as a boarding-school, and is fit for nothing better. It is surrounded, however, by some fine old stately trees, and the gardens are still celebrated for the finest and earliest fruits of the season.

The destruction of the famous old castle of Seton was not the only act of Vandalism of which Mackenzie was guilty during the short time he possessed the property. A few hundred yards to the west of the castle stood the ancient village of Seton, which in 1791 was inhabited by eighty-six persons, mostly weavers, tailors, and shoemakers, each family possessing a house and a small piece of ground. This industrious little community, which for centuries had thriven under the fostering care of the Seton family, was entirely broken up and dispersed by the unscrupulous lawyer who had illegally, if not fraudulently, obtained temporary possession of the estate. When called upon by him to produce the title-deeds of their little properties, it was found that most of them had no titles to show, their houses and lands having been handed down from father to son through many generations. Those who were unable to produce their titles were at once turned out of their houses, while it is alleged that the few who possessed the requisite documents, and sent them to Mackenzie’s office in Edinburgh, never saw them again, and were, like the others, shortly after compelled to remove from their ancient heritages without receiving any compensation. Only one of the villagers escaped eviction. He somehow learned that his property had been registered when it was purchased, and he was consequently enabled to set at defiance the attempts of the usurper to rob him of his patrimony.

Seton Castle

This is one of the most striking of Robert Adam's late houses in the castle style. Seton Castle is made up of various shaped towers around a curved wall enclosing the courtyard which is entered by a central archway. Situated to the east of Longniddry, Seton Castle is built on the site of Seton Palace which formerly belonged to the Earls of Winton.  The estate of Winton included the barony and burgh of Tranent until the last earl, George, fifth Earl of Winton lost his titles and estates for participating in the 1715 Jacobite rebellion. Winton was condemned to death but managed to escape the Tower of London, living the rest of his life in Rome where he died in 1749 as a member of Chevaliers’ Cabinet. The Seton estate was then purchased from the British Government by the York Buildings Company who put it up for public sale. In 1790 the new owner, Alexander Mackenzie, an Edinburgh Writer to the Signet demolished the old Palace of Seton and built the more modern mansion.

Round Tower in Seton Palace Wall

After being allowed to decay for 75 years Seton Palace was eventually demolished in 1790 to make way for the more modern Seton Castle. There is little evidence of the old Palace except for remnants of the Mill, the Church and the original garden walls. The South-Western Turret still stands as a reminder of the previous occupants of Seton Palace, the Earls of Winton. From the early twelveth century until 1715 the Seton family owned the estate. After 1600, the Setons became the Earls of Winton and the parish of Seton was annexed to the parish of Tranent.

The Turret stands as a reminder of one of the Palace's most famous visitors. On the 4th of April 1603, King James VI of Scotland was on his way south to take the throne as King James VI of Scotland & I of England. As his entourage approached Seton Palace it met with the funeral procession of the Earl of Winton. Winton’s father was one of the most faithful adherents to James' mother Mary Queen of Scots, and of King James VI, and Winton himself had been highly active in maintaining His Royal Highness’ throne as well.  In acknowledgement of this the King halted his retinue to sit down on the South-Western Turret until the funeral of his old supporter moved past.

Mill near Seton Castle

In 1854 water power was used to drive 34 corn and meal mills in East Lothian. Practically every landowner had a mill and land was thirled; which meant it was let on the condition that grain grown on the land was taken to the mill for grinding. Thirling generated income for the landowner as well as the miller who took a share of profits. Situated at the extreme north of the Seton Castle estate the flourmill was driven by a warm stream which allowed the mill to function continuously despite extremely frosty conditions. Seton Mill was a single storey building. The lower floor would house the gearing with a platform for milling and a separate circular drying kiln. Operations were abandoned in 1715 when the estate was acquired by the British Government and subsequent private owners until the derelict mill was taken over by National Trust for Scotland. In 1982, the mill was offered for sale on the condition that the mill, cottage and derelict house be developed within two years.

 

http://www.elothian-museums.demon.co.uk/tranent/big/Ai2936.htm