'Magnae Nobilitatis Domini'

According to tradition, it was customary for the Earls of Wintoun once a year to ‘ride the marches’ of their estates, which were so extensive that a whole day, from sunrise to sunset, was required to ride in state round the boundaries of their lands. On these occasions the head of the house was always accompanied by a large retinue of friends and retainers, mounted on gaily caparisoned horses, the charger of the chief being arrayed in cloth of silk adorned with gold tassels. The festivities which followed this ceremonial lasted several days.

Seton Palace was a favorite resort of Queen Mary. It was visited often by her in her royal progresses. It was her first halting-place when she and Darnley made their escape from Holyrood after the murder of Rizzio. She was entertained there by Lord Seton in 1567, and on that occasion she and Bothwell won a match in shooting at the butts against Lords Seton and Huntly. The forfeit was a dinner, which the losers had to provide in an inn at Tranent. When James VI. revisited his native country in 1617, he spent his second night in Scotland at Seton. Charles I. also, on his journey from London to Edinburgh, in 1633, in order to be crowned there as well as in England, halted a night at Seton, and was magnificently entertained by George, third Earl of Wintoun.

The Palace was held for a short time in 1715 by Brigadier Macintosh and a detachment of Highlanders before their march to the Borders to join the Northumbrian insurgents under Mr. Forster and Lord Derwentwater during the Jacobite Rebellion, in which event the 5th Earl of Winton was forfeit for his participation, and thus ending the Seton tenure in East Lothian.

Other Seton Family residences:
Abbott's House      Abercorn      Allanton      Aquhorthies      Barnes      Barra Castle      Blair      Bourtie      Belshies      Carriden      Cariston      Cockenzie House      Culcreuch Castle      Dalgety Lodge      Disblair      Falside Castle       Gargunnock House      Garleton Castle     Greenknowe Tower      Hailes Castle      Kinloch      Kylesmure      Chateau de Langeais      Lathrisk      Licklyhead Castle     Menie House     Mounie Castle      Newark      Northrig      Olivestob/Bankton House      Parbroath      Powderhall      Preston House      Schethin      Slattie      Sorn Castle      St. Bridget's Church     St. Germains      Stoneypath Tower      Tranent Tower        Tullibody        Udny      Whitefoord House/Seton's Lodge      Whittingehame      Windygoul