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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.
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