“Fancy a bit of history seasoned with community spirit?” That’s what I always say when we arrive at Cockenzie House. This isn’t just any old building. Cockenzie House is a Jacobean house built in 1675. The Seton family built it.
Cockenzie House is a hidden gem. It sits in the picturesque seaside town of Cockenzie and Port Seton. It is only a few miles east of Edinburgh.
The house has beautiful gardens, a cafe, and gift shops. The gardens cover four acres. They include flower beds, fruit trees, and a pond. You can also explore the walled grounds. Look out for the vaulted gothic grotto folly with a shell-decorated interior. Don’t miss the two conical gazebos known as the Claret Towers.
Back in 1592, Robert Seton, Lord Seton, was granted permission to build a free harbour. He was also allowed to establish the town of Cockenzie as a free burgh of barony. The Setons owned Cockenzie House from the 12th century.
The house may have been built by George Seton, the 4th Earl of Winton, in the 1680s. He was constructing the new harbour at Port Seton. It was possibly for the manager of the salt pans and harbour.
After the Jacobite Rising in 1715, the Setons forfeited their estates. The York Building Company bought them for a hefty sum.
After the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745, Sir John Cope’s wagon train was seized by Jacobites at Cockenzie House. It contained many valuables.
Later, the Cadell family, merchants from Haddington, acquired Cockenzie. The Cadells were wealthy industrialists. They worked coal mines and salt pans. Robert Cadell, born at Cockenzie, republished many of Sir Walter Scott’s works.
Rumor has it that both J M W Turner and Sir Walter Scott visited Cockenzie House. Cadell published Scott’s Provincial Antiquities of Scotland. Turner illustrated the book.
During World War II, Cockenzie House served as an orphanage. Later, it became a college for overseas students and a private nursing home.
In recent years, Cockenzie House has been renovated. Now, it houses offices, studio spaces, businesses, and gift shops. The main house provides an atmospheric backdrop for events and exhibitions.
The community has been working hard to keep this place alive. In 2010, locals formed a group to save Cockenzie House. They didn’t want it to become a hostel. They cleaned, mended, and painted. The group now has a 25-year lease. They want to buy the property outright.
Cockenzie House is home to artists, small businesses, and crafters. It exhibits works by local artists. You can find No 22 Gallery and Gifts here. They feature locally made crafts and paintings.
Before we move on, take a moment to appreciate the spirit of Cockenzie House. It is a testament to community, creativity, and the enduring charm of history.