Winton was a Seton stronghold
for nearly 600 years.

1000 Years Ago
As the builders of Winton, their history can be traced back to 1050 and Robert FitzPicot de Say, Lord of Aunay (Normandy), whose son, also Robert, fought at the Battle of Hastings with William 'the Conqueror' in 1066. Phillip de Sayton, his grandson, was granted the lands of Seton, Winton and Winchburgh around 1150 by David I of Scotland, who was consolidating his power around Edinburgh with Norman nobles. There began almost six centuries of Setons at Winton.

The Royal Court
Phillip's grandson married the sister of King Robert 'The Bruce'. The family were heavily involved in the Wars of Independence in the 14th century including the Siege of Berwick and the Battle of Bannockburn. Their names, through marriage, can be seen in the family trees of Hay, Gordon, Stewart, Campbell, Douglas and Montgomerie, and are linked to Dukes and Viscounts down to mere Earls, including the title bestowed upon Robert, 6th Lord Seton, 1st Earl of Winton. They held notable positions such as Mary Seton, Lady-in-Waiting to Mary Queen of Scots, Robert, 4th Lord Seton, Lord of Session, and Alexander (brother of the 1st Earl) who became Earl of Dunfermline and Chancellor of Scotland.

The Burning
Although the Seton seat was nearby at Seton Palace, Longniddry, George Ist Earl of Winton built a stone tower at Winton around 1480. When Henry VIII adopted an unusual style of courtship on behalf of his son Edward with hopes of wooing Mary Queen of Scots, the Setons were caught up in the aggression of the Earl of Hertford. Under Henry's orders, Winton was burnt by the English Army in 1544 around the time of the siege of Haddington. The thick walls of the vaulted basement survived the fire. The atmospheric Vaulted Cellar is still used for entertaining today.

The Earls Restoration
The 6th Lord Seton was made 1st Earl of Winton in 1600 and set about making a home out of the ruin. The work was continued by his nephew, the 3rd Earl, who engaged the services of William Wallace, the King's Master Mason. Wallace was responsible for many of the prodigious projects at the time and Winton rose to be amongst the finest examples of Scottish Renaissance architecture and a Jacobean gem.

Prisoner
Two generations on, support for the Royal Stuarts at the Jacobite uprising of 1715 saw the capture of George 5th Earl of Winton at the Battle of Preston. He was taken to the Tower of London; his land and titles were confiscated by the crown and the land was later leased to the York Buildings Company. It was later requisitioned for use during the uprising of 1745 by Bonnie Prince Charlie, on behalf of the exiled 5th. Earl. The rebel army camped on the Estate and were fed by the local tenantry.