Haddington - Lennoxlove House

Medieval Lethington Tower which belonged to the Maitlands from the 13th C was converted into a grand country house in the 17th C (1mi/1.6km south of Haddington). The estate name derives from the Duchess of Lennox or "La Belle Stewart", a beautiful court companion to the wife of Charles II, who resisted the favors of the king and remained faithful to the Duke of Richmond and Lennox. The house was later named Lennoxlove in memory of her husband. It has been the seat of the dukes of Hamilton since 1947. Of interest are the expensive presents that the king gave to the duchess in his attempts to win her heart, family portraits by Raeburn, van Dyck and Lely and a piano that Chopin is supposed to have played. Note also the portrait of the reformer John Knox, the porcelain collection (Derby, Dresden and Worcester) and some memorabilia belonging to Mary Stuart: her death mask and the small jewelry box with the forged letter purporting to show her complicity in the murder of Lord Darnley and foreshadowing the end of her regency. Colorful flower beds and old trees are the main features of the surrounding parkland.