HATTON HOUSE
A Scoto French Chateau
Hatton House ©
Photographs from collection of Mrs. J. State
A Patrick de Haltoun, Comté de Edimbourg, is mentioned in the Ragman Roll.
(Confirmation of Alan of Lawedre).
Great Seal 1371
ROBERT, by the Grace of God, King of Scots to all etc,
Be it known (You should know) that we have given our approval to the donation and grant which our dear and faithful Hugh of Eglinton, Knight, has made and granted to our dear and faithful Alan of Lawedre, in return for homage and feudal service, of the lands of Norton, with its appurtenances, in the Barony of Ratho, in the County of Edinburgh. These to be held and kept by the same Alan, with each and every etc. etc. in complete liberty etc., in all and according to all, as the letter of the above Hugh to the same Alan on this question rightly contains and states. Our own feudal rights being preserved.
In witness of which etc. Witnesses etc.
Given at St. Andrews, 13th day of June, the first year of Our Reign.
Translated from Latin by Right Reverend Monsignor Daniel Foley.
1374 John de Halton granted charter for Hatton.
Hatton, which consists of nearly half the parish of Ratho, was purchased by Allan de Lawdre from John of Hatton in 1377; this purchase was ratified by King Robert II.
(Item 104) Carta to Allan de Lauder, of the town and lands of Haltoune, in the barony of Rathow, vic. de Edinburgh, whilk John de Haltoun refigned.
As Baron of Ratho and superior thereof he went on to add the properties, of Norton. The half of Norton was disposed to Sir Allan by Hugh, Earl of Eglinton, with reservation to him of its thrilage to his mill of Ratho, and giving to Sir Allan and his heirs multure free at the mill, except the payment of a fist of meal. Westhall which included a part of Craigpark, and Ratho estates was disponed by Thomas Crimpy of Scotstoun, in the Barony of Abercorn, in 1375, to be holden blench of the granter for payment of a silver penny at the Kirk of Ratho, in the time of High Mass.
Allan de Lawdre acted as justiciary clerk on the south side of the Water of Perth, for which he received from the King in 1374, £10 Scots as an annual grant.
The Lauder family appear to have possessed extensive estates in Peebles and Berwickshire and to have been a family of considerable eminence in the Scottish nation. Robert de Lawdre, Justiciary of Lothian in 1328 was one of the Scottish Ambassadors to the English Court to arrange the marriage between David II and Johanna sister of Edward III (See index of Charters 1309). Alexander Lauder rector of Ratho, son of Sir Allan was promoted to the See of Dunkeld in 1440. (He died the same year and is interred in the church of Lauder with his ancestors). See also Calendar of Supplications to Rome and Letters of Pope Benedict XIII of Avignon (1394-1419).
William, another son of Sir Allan, was first Archdeacon of Lothian and Bishop of Glasgow 1408. He was made chancellor in 1423 by the regent Murdo Duke of Albany. In the same year he was nominated first commissioner for treating about the redemption of James I. He continued to hold the office of Bishop & Chancellor until his death in 1425. As Bishop he laid the foundation of the vestry of the Cathedral Church of Glasgow and built the steeple as far as the first battlement where the arms of Lauder and Hatton are still to be seen cut in several places.
After the assassination of Douglas at Stirling the house would appear to have been captured by the Douglases and had to be retaken by siege. It is most likely that the great bombard mentioned is Mons Meg. The accounts of the Great Chamberlain of Scotland and some other officers of the Crown, rendered at the Exchequer, state: -
“Four carts prepared for the carriage of the great bombard, and for stones fashioned for the said bombard, and for darts and arrows, and for the making of a smith’s shop, and the making of bows, and for the fabrication of the instrument called the Sow, prepared for the siege of the House of Haltone; and for the wages of artificers and workmen constructing the said instruments by ordinance of Alexander Naper, master of work of the said work, and by orders of the accountor, as appears by the book and schedules of the said Alexander in his account, xlviii. lib. xvs. vid.
And there is allowed to the accountor for the hire as well of men and horses at Haltone in the time of the siege of the same, and for iron caps called Salattis, given to the servants and archers of the king; and for pitch, bitumen carts, and the carriage of divers beams, and for the wages and expenses of masons and carpenters present at the tower of Haltone.”
The surviving Taxation Roll of 26th March 1479 (reign of James III) shows
| “The Barony of Ratho.” |
| Bonitoun. | x pund. |
| Haltoun. | x pund. |
| The Plat. | v pund. |
| Nortoun. | x pund. |
| The West Hail and the North Raw. | v pund. |
| Over Gogar. |
| xiij li(s) viij(d). |
At a later period in the wars with England the Lauders seem to have taken an active part. One of the old family papers contains a gift from James V to William de Lawdre of Hattoun “of the relief of all his lands lying in the shores of Edinburgh, Berwick and Peebles, and that gratis for good done the said Sir George, his father and Sir Richard Lauder of Blyth and James Lauder, his uncles with most of their friends having been slayen at the battle of Flodden Field under the banner of James IV.” The date of this is 19th July 1525. The same papers also mention a licence granted to William Lauder to fortify his house at Hatton and to appoint porters and other officers thereat, no doubt as a preparation for an expected incursion by the English consequent on their victory.
Hatton House plan of ©
Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland:-
Preceptum Carte Coniuncte Infeodationis WILLELMI LAUDER de Haltoun et JONETE COKBURN, sue sponse, -super totis et integris terries de Brownnfeild, Gogar Manys et molendino cum sequelis eiusdem cum omnibus et singulis suis pertinentiis, iacentibus infra vicecomitatum de Edinburgh; que fuerunt dicto Willelmo prius hereditarie, et per ipsum et procuratores suos in manibus domini gubernatoris resignate, etc. Per Signetum. xxiv. 116.
Item 2698 At Hammiltoun 7th April
Ane Lettir maid to ROBERT, MAISTER [of] SYMPLE, his airis and assignais, ane or ma, -of the gift of the casualiteis and sowmes of money and restis of the schirrefdome of Renfrew of the justice airis and buikis of responde of the said schirrefdome of Renfrew unpayit and maid coimpt in the chekkeris bigane of the yeiris of God (1538) yeiris and fyftie yeiris be the schirref thairofand his deputis, thay air to say, for the landis of Pottartoun pertening to James Maxuel (James Maxwell of Dargavell) xxvi li. xvii s. iii d.; the landis of Browns-Calderhauch and uthiris landis pertening to Johnne Broun (John Broun of Cultir-manis) xiv lb x s.; the landis of Ovir Johnnestoun pertening to James Galbrayth (James Galbrayth of Kilcreuch) iicxiii li. vi s. viii d.; the landis of Auchinbody pertening to Johnne Spreule iii li. xiii s. iiii d.; the landis of Sausterland alias Sausarhauch pertening to Johnne Stewart l s.; the landis of Eister Grenok pertening to Hew Crawfurde of Kilbirny Ic lib.; for the landis of Eister and Westir Gerwok pertening to Patrik Houstoun (Patrick Houstoun of that Ilk) lxxxviii lib. Vi s. viii d.; for the landis of Foulwode pertening to Robert Symple lxi lib. Vi s. viii d.; for the mylne of Johnnestoun pertening to Williame Wallace xii lib.; the Erle of Glencarne for his manis of Over Douchill lxxxx lib. X s.; for the rest of the landis of Haltoun – Ratho (Rectius Haltoun et Northraw de Ratho) and uthiris landis pertening to the lard of Haltoun (Alexander Lauder of Haltoun) Icli lib.; item for the landis of Foulwode, Litill Aud and utheris landis and relief of the samin, the saising thairofgevin to Robert Symple the sowme of Icxliiii li. x s. x d.; for the landis of Ramfurlie-Cunnynghame the sesing gevin to Alexander, Erle of Glencarne, lxvi li. xiii s. iiii d.; the landis of Barscuib the sesing gevin to Johnne Stewart Icxx li.; for the landis of the manis of Cathcart and uthiris landis sesing thairof gevin to Gabriell Symple Ici lib. Xvii s. xi d.; the landis of Boghous and relief of the samin sesing gevin to Johnne Cochrane ix lib. Xiiii s.; for the landis of Ranfourlie and Cunynghame (Ramfourlie-Cunynghame) sesing gevin thairof to Alexander, Erle of Glencarne, Icxxiii li. vi s. viii d.; the landis of Finlastoun-Cunyghame the sesing thairof gevin to the said Erle vi li.; for the relief of the landis of Foullwod and uthiris landis and the relief of the landis of Calderhauch the sesing gevin to Johnne Symple lxi lib. Vi s. viii d.; the landis of Wetir Parthik and uthiris landis the sesing thairof gevin to Williame Cunynghame lxi li.; for the landis of Litill Foulwood and uthiris landis the sesing gevin to Johnne Symple lxxxvi li. xiiii s. vi d.; for the double of the landis of Lochtullo and uthiris landis the sesing gevin to Johnne Lausoun of his riggis ii d.; for the landis of Auchinbothy the sesing thairof gevin to David Cunynghame xxiiii lib. Vi s.; for the relief of the landis of Nethir Cochrane the sesing gevin to Johnne Cunynghame (John Cunningham of Glengarnock) xxvi li. xiii s. iiii d.; for the landis of Litill Foulwod and uthiris the sesing gevin to Johnne Symple xxviii li. xviii s. ii d.; for the landis of Scottistoun and relief of the samin sesing thairof gevin to David Montgomery lxix li. vi s. viii d.; for the landis of Argowane and uthiris landis sesing gevin to James Stewart lx lib.; and siclike of all uthiris casualiteis, restis, sowmes of money, extractis of airis, unlawis within the said schirrefdome of Renfrew and boundis thairof that hes fallin and occurrit in ony tymes bigane unmaid payment and coimpt thairof to the schirref and his deputis of the said schirrefdome in the said chekkeris [as] at mair lenth is contenit in the buikis of responde and adjornale. With power, etc. Per Signaturam.xxvii. 47.
1567 Bothwell stayed at the house on the night of April 23/4 before the abduction of Mary Queen of Scots.
24th July 1573. Charter by Sir William Lauder of Haltoun, knight, granting his ‘servitors’, Stephen Lauder, residing in Ratho, and Michael Lauder, his son, the two crofts occupied by the said Stephen, in the town and territory of Ratho, on the north side of the same between the croft now occupied by Alan Bordland on west, the croft occupied by Thomas Burgane on east, the ‘Myln-medo’ of Ratho on north, and the common way on south, with two soums of pasture upon the commonty of Ratho with the usual turf castings (‘faill et dovettis’), lying in the sheriffdom of Edinburgh: To be held for 40s. Scots for annual feu-farm, with six capons, four loads of coals, and leading peats and turfs to his place of Haltoun, as his other tenants do, with carriage and laying down on his said place, or elsewhere in the parish of Ratho, ‘twa laidis of lyme’, where he and his heirs please, at their expense.
Precept of sasine directed to Alexander Lauder.
Signed and sealed at Edinburgh, 24th October 1573.
Witnesses, George Lauder, brother of granter, Thomas Harlaw, and James Harlaw, notary.
Seal attached but wholly defaced.
1585 Norton, Platts, Westhall, and Northraw of Ratho had all been added to the original Hatton by Allan de Laudre. “He bought”, says the MS. History, the lands of Norton from Ibbock and Annack of Norton; "the lands of Northcrofts and Westhall, of Ratho, and lands of Plats, from Thomas Cripney and William Elphingstone". Over Gogar became part of the estate by the marriage of Annabel Belenden, heiress of the property, to one of the Lauders, in 1610.
18th Maii 1625 MAGISTER RICHARDUS LAUDER, hæres Alexandri Lauder feoditarii de Haltoun, fratris germani, - in terris de Haltoun et terris dominicalibus earundem: - A.E. 5l. N.E. 20l. - Terris de Nortoun, in vicecomitatu de Renfrew per annexationem: - A.E. 3l. N.E. 12l. Terris de Westhall et Northraw de Ratho, cum molendino lie Kirkmylne de Ratho, et terris de Priestislandis: - A.E. 3l. N.E. 9l. - Terris de Plat, in baronia de Ratho et vicecomitatu de Renfrew per annexationem: - A.E. 4l. N.E.12l. - Terris de Wester Wormestoun nunc vocatis Cringletie; - terris de Easter Wormestoun; - terris de Ovir et Nether Kidstounes: - A.E. 10l. N.E. 47l. 13s. 4d. - Terris de Stewartoun. A.E. 5l. N.E. 10s. - (Vide Peebles). Ix. 52.
The whole of these lands came into the possession of the Lauderdale family by the marriage of Charles Maitland, (third son of John, Earl of Lauderdale) to Elizabeth, the second daughter of Mr Richard Lauder in 1653. It was Charles Maitland, who built the modern Hatton, adding the wings and turrets to the fortified tower of the Lauders.
The house is described in the 16th century “there is no residence in the Lothians west of Edinburgh to compare with Hatton House save Hopetoun.” At this time it had upwards of fifty bedrooms and stabling for seventy horses.
28th December 1655 Charter by Richard Lawder of Haltoun and Charles Maitland, fiar of Haltoun (in obedience to letters of horning), for infefting James Wilson, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh, in two crofts of land, presently possessed by Janet Scheitletoune and her cottars, on the north side of Ratho, in the parish of Ratho and shire of Edinburgh, apprised from James Wynrahame of Wistoun and Mr. James Wynrahame, his eldest son: To be held for the feu-farm and other dues accustomed to be paid. Thomas Hodge in Ratho named as bailie in precept of sasine. Dated and signed 28th December 1655.
1749 the house is further described “a house of great strength, and well built aslure work, with a strong mantle wall round about the same. A Scoto-French mansion or chateau of the seventeenth century, superinduced on an ancient tower.”
Hatton House ©
Photograph courtesy Midlothian Libraries
Ratho Parish Church Baptism Records: -
26th October 1750. Lady Hannah Maitland lawful daughter to the Right Honourable James, Earl of Lauderdale and Margaret Turner Lamb, Countess of Lauderdale was born on Wednesday October 24th and baptised on the 26th. Witnesses Mr. George, Captain Richard and John Maitland, brothers of the said Rt. Hon. Earl.
20th December 1751. The Right Honourable Lady Elizabeth Maitland, lawful daughter to the Right Honourable James, Earl of Lauderdale and Mary Turner Lambe, Countess of Lauderdale was born on December 18th and baptized on the 20th. Witnesses the Hon. Mr. Patrick Maitland and Mr Laurence Dundas.
15th December 1752. The Right Honourable ? Charles Lauder Lord Maitland lawful son to the Right Honourable James, Earl of Lauderdale and Mary turner Lambe, Countess of Lauderdale was born December ? and baptized on the 15th. Witnesses The Hon, Messrs. Richard and Frederick Maitland brothers German to the said noble Earl.
In May 1753 William Wilkie was appointed assistant minister of the Parish of Ratho. It is recorded that he became a great favourite with the Earl of Lauderdale, the patron of the parish.
18th August 1754. Right Honourable Lady Mary-Julian Maitland lawful daughter to James, Earl of Lauderdale and Mary Turner Lamb, Countess of Lauderdale was born July 26th and baptized August 18th. Witnesses The Reverend George Maitland and the Honourable Richard Maitland.
27th January 1759. The Right Honourable James Gordon Maitland lawful son to the Right Honourable James, Earl of Lauderdale and Lady Mary Turner Lamb, Countess of Lauderdale was born 26th January and baptized on 27th. Witnesses not appended.
12th March 1760. The Honourable lawful son of the Right Honourable James, Earl of Maitland and Mary, Countess of Lauderdale was born March 10th and baptized the 12th. Witnesses The Reverend Mr Alex. Bryce and Mr. John Robertson.
4th October 1761. The Honourable John Maitland lawful son of the Right Honourable James, Earl of Lauderdale and the Right Honourable Mary Turner Lambe, Countess of Lauderdale was born October 3rd 1761 and baptized the 4th. Witnesses the Honourable Captain John Maitland and the Honourable Captain Robert Sandilands Esq.
1790 the property was sold for Miss Scott of Scottarvet. for l.84, 000. (Stat. Acc. 1791).
1792, the property was sold to General Scotts trustees.
Statistical Account 1793: - “an estate equal in extent, value, situation and many other advantages, is rarely to be found. The principal seat at Hatton is a venerable old house, with extensive gardens, and surrounded with large plantations of at least 800 acres of ground.”
1797 the property was sold to Mr James Gibson of (afterwards Sir James Gibson-Craig, Baronet, of Riccarton). He broke up the estate selling the house to Rev., Dr. Thomas Davidson for £14,000. (Davidson’s name had originally been Randall taking the name Davidson from his uncle, Davidson of Muirhouse. The family would appear to have largely stayed at Muirhouse).
1812 Francis Jeffrey took the property as a summer residence for three years prior to moving to Craigcrook. The property was also let to Sir David Wedderburn Bart, Postmaster General for Scotland and later to a Mrs Grant of Congalton.
Statistical Account 1835: - Seat of William Davidson Esq., a baronial mansion partly of great antiquity. Its venerableness of aspect, its extensiveness of gardens and pleasure grounds and its association as an ancient seat of the Earl of Lauderdale.
1836 the house was dismantled and all the Davidson’s fine furniture was sold off.
It was let by several families:- Mr Bell and his son in law (Lord Moncrief), Mr George Moir, professor of rhetoric and Belles Letres in Edinburgh University. It was unlet for a time thereafter.
1841 Census
Alex. Guthrie (45),
Mrs Guthrie (45) b. England,
Elisa (18),
Thomas (17),
Alex (15),
William, (14),
Janet (12),
John (10),
Esther (8),
James Guthrie (50),
Marion (50),
Anne (45),
Elisa (40).
1845 Hatton was owned by William Davidson Esq.
1848 the house was tenantless, as being too expensive a residence to keep up; it was offered to Mr. James Leslie, C.E., free of rent, on condition that he should undertake the payment of the window duties.
1850 Capt. Wm. Davidson, although he would appear to have been in residence since the year 1820, making attempts to repair the neglected estate.
1855 Thomas Davidson let to Prof. Allan Thomson, of Glasgow, who was followed by Mrs Maconochie Wellwood, eldest daughter of Lord President Blair and widow of the second Lord Meadowbank.
1862 Thomas Davidson.
1864 Thomas Davidson let to Mrs A. Maconochie Wellwood.
1866 Thomas Davidson let to Misses Wellwood.
1867 Thomas Davidson let to Mrs Wellwood.
1870 purchased by the Right Honourable the Earl of Morton for £42,000.
1881 Census
Wm. Addiston (45),
Margaret (44),
Jane (21),
Thomas (12).
1898 it was purchased by James McKelvie of Gogar Park.
1915 purchased by William M. Whitelaw. J.P. (Appointed director of N.B. Railway 12/12/1908, Deputy Chairman 3/3/1910, Chairman 7/3/1912). Chairman, London & North Eastern Railway. A Gresley class A4 locomotive No. 60004 was named after him.
1947 purchased by Archibald Campbell Brown Stevenson (accountant).
1947 a portion of the estate (West Lodge of Hatton House and several acres of ground), was sold to The Royal Blind Asylum and School (Linburn). A further portion (East Lodge of Hatton House and several acres of ground) was sold to John Clarence Bentley.
1948 purchased by James Fleming Baird Wallace, S.S.C.
1952 House was put up for sale. On the evening of 25th February 1952, Mr Howe of Hillhouse farm discovered the house alight. The roof and upper floor were completely destroyed by fire, while the other floors were extensively damaged by water. The Evening Dispatch of 26th February described the fire “One portion after another of the house, which contained four floors, was involved in the blaze, until there was no part of the building, which was free from the flames.”
1953 various parts of the estate were now sold off and by 1957 it was completely broken up. The ruins of the house and part of the estate were purchased by the Morgan family and the property is still in their hands.
The following are some of the other features noted about the building.
The original tower had walls some 8/9 feet thick and the house was built around this.
The three floors of the central building (Tower) exclusive of the ground floor are divided into two, at the most three, apartments; there being generally one large and lofty chamber on each floor, the others much smaller though no less lofty. A spiral staircase lighted by narrow arrow-hole window leads from the ground floor to the leads, a height of 60 feet.
The tower is of 15th or early 16th century; the great mass of the encasing Chateau 17th century; the entrance hall, grand staircase and drawing room late 17th or early 18th century.
An aperture was made in the wall of the room on the first floor directly above the day nursery. One of the workmen squeezed through and discovered a spiral staircase in the thickness of the walls leading right up to the leads, but with no outlet.
One particular feature that shows the grand scale on which the house was planned and built is the great sewer, a fine arched conduit of nearly 200 yards in length, 5 feet high and 3 feet wide. Large built drains for surface water surround the whole building.
Evelyn in his diary 1678 records 27th August, “After dinner I walked to Ham, to see the house and garden of the Duke of Lauderdale, which is indeed inferior to few of the best villas in Italy, itself. The house furnished like a great prince’s; the parterres, flower gardens, orangeries, groves, avenues, courts, statues, perspective, fountains, aviaries and all this at the banks of the sweetest river in the world, must needs be admirable.”
The gardens in five walled areas of unequal size covered 6 acres.
Artificial cascades that used to exist in the gardens were formed by water brought from a streamlet, which descends to the Gogar Burn at Burnwynd. Under the terrace is a large bath-house 20 feet long by 12 feet wide and 12 feet high, it is surrounded by a stone seat, with niches in the walls for urns or busts. The bath is a circular basin 10 feet in diameter and 4 feet deep into which the water flowed from an ornamental font in the wall, having previously passed through the basin in the great fountain on the terrace above.
Lord Cockburn records in his journal “The Hatton domestic grounds must have been magnificent once. Enough remains (1846) to show the greatness and beauty of the original design.”
The Eastern Pavilion was known as Lord Lauderdale’s Forge. Tradition says that one of the Earls who had a fancy for working in iron had his forge here. The upper part of the delicate antique ornamental ironwork of the Western Gateway is said to have been wrought by his Lordship. This gateway formerly stood in the Great Avenue, about 300 yards east of the house and was transferred to its present position in 1829 by Captain Davidson who added the side archways. It bears this date and its original one of 1692, on the keystone of the arch.
Hatton House Gate ©
Photographs from collection of Mrs. M. Day.