Once the site of the Earl of Wintons' mansion, known as Lord Seton's Lodging (featured in Walter Scott's 'Abbot' - Vol.1 chapter xviii. ),  Whitefoord is located only a short walk from the official Residence of the Scottish Monarch's at the Palace of Holyrood House.  It  was  here that Lord Darnley spent the night before his wedding  to  Mary,  Queen  of Scots, at Holyrood Palace in 1565.  It was a famed residence for foreign Ambassadors, who's host were the Lord's Seton, and in particular a favourite with the French Ambassadors, and Manzeville sojourned there in 1583.  It's proximity to the Royal Palace gave the family a futher close presence to the Monarch, and was a much coveted property of the Canongate.  The townhouse had several noted events pass through it's doors, it was the first place of refuge for Queen Mary after the murder of her favourite David Rizzio, and welcomed that Queen for a private reception after her marriage to Lord Darnley.  After the forfeiture of the 5th Earl of Winton, the lodging fell into disrepair (1715-1744) and was finally sold to the British Linen Company.  The present  house  was built in 1766 for Sir John Whitefoord of Ballochmyle, an early  patron  of  poet  Robert Burns, by the architect Robert Mylne using much of the existing building of the Seton's. 

Whitefoord died here in 1803, and it was then home to the noted  judge Sir William MacLeod Bannatyne (1743 - 1833) who died in the  house  at  the age of 90. Thereafter, around 1850, the building was converted for use as a type foundry.   Located on the north side of Edinburgh's Canongate, Whitefoord House was  the  first  of  the  Scottish Veteran's Residences, having been purchased   by   that  charity  in  1910.  Today  this  three-storey white-harled   building,   with   its  Roman-Doric  porch,  provides residential  accommodation  and  support for 85 ex-servicemen of all
ages, who are veterans of campaigns around the world.               
                                                                           
The  first  Lady  Haig  Poppy  Factory was established at Whitefoord House  in  1926,  by  the wife of Field Marshal Douglas Haig (1861 - 1928).  Here the residents made poppies for sale throughout Scotland to raise money to support their fellow ex-servicemen. The  house  has  been  extended to accommodate couples, with further
phases of redevelopment expected to be completed in 2005.