This 235-Year-Old Scottish Castle Has Ties to Royalty. Now It Can Be Yours for for $10.5 Million.
Interested in living like the Queen of Scotland but without all the political drama? A sprawling castle in the rural countryside of East Lothian, Scotland, with ties to Mary, Queen of Scots, has hit the market asking a cool £8 million (or about $10.5 million). The existing structure, dubbed Seton Castle, occupies the site of the former monarch’s favorite royal retreat, Seton Palace. Originally built in the 1500s, the queen reportedly spent her honeymoon here with her second husband Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, prior to his murder. After the original residence was demolished in 1715, architect Robert Adam erected the extant castle in 1789, using stone salvaged from Seton Palace.
According to the listing, which is being represented by Savills, the 13-acre castle counts less than a handful of owners in its 235-year history. Most notably, the palatial pad remained in the Wemyss family from the late 18th century all the way up until 2003. The spread was then scooped up by internet entrepreneurs Steve Leach and his wife Heather Luscombe, who made renovations to the abode before offloading it in 2019. In 2022, it was handed over yet again to property investor and hospitality entrepreneur David Fam. At the time, Seton Castle was considered the most expensive private home in the country.
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“Seton is an absolutely magical castle—from the moment you approach, to the inner courtyard, to the quality of interior design,” says Jessica Gwyn with Savills. “But it is also an incredibly functional home, complete with features like the billiard room, wine cellar, and private bar.”
The castle’s stately facade has been maintained throughout the centuries with masons carefully restoring its chimneys, turrets, and parapet roofs, in addition to a 15th-century stone carriage bridge. Internally, the owners have preserved many of the historic elements of the property as well, including its curved oak paneled doors, arched windows, original plasterwork, and sweeping staircase. A dumbwaiter has also been reinstalled, in addition to a 10,000-bottle wine cellar, which has been brought back to its former glory.
The residence itself feels tastefully ornate, definitely not for minimalists. Think tons of embroidered silks, lush jacquard velvets, and gilt detailing. Altogether, the four-story castle comprises seven bedrooms across its 18,000 square feet. Plus, it packs a ton of creature comforts, including a private gym, a vaulted playroom, and a cinema for movie nights. Outside, scattered across the formal lawns, you’ll also find a helicopter pad, three self-contained guest cottages, and working stables.
“The current owner now feels their time as custodian of this outstanding building has come to a natural conclusion and it is time for this historic home to be loved and cared for by someone else,” adds Gwyn.
Click here to see more photos of Seton Castle.
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