The Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry | Goblinshead | A comprehensive guide to 4,100 castles, towers, historic houses, stately homes and family lands
The Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry | Goblinshead | A comprehensive guide to 4,100 castles, towers, historic houses, stately homes and family lands
The Castles of Scotland
The Castles of Scotland 

Hamilton House

Lothians: South-east of Prestonpans, on roads north of B1361, in the Preston area, between Preston Tower and Northfield House, at Hamilton House.

 

NTS   NT 389739   OS: 66   EH32 9JY

 

View from exterior.

Hamilton House, also known as Magdalen House, is an attractive old whitewashed building, located in the Preston area of Prestonpans in East Lothian in southeast Scotland, by Preston Tower and Northfield House, and built by the Hamiltons. Hamilton House (© Martin Coventry)
Hamilton House, also known as Magdalen House, is an attractive old whitewashed building, located in the Preston area of Prestonpans in East Lothian in southeast Scotland, by Preston Tower and Northfield House, and built by the Hamiltons. Hamilton House (© Martin Coventry)

One of four old houses around the village of Preston, Hamilton House (also known as Magdalen House) consists of a main block of two storeys with projecting wings at both ends.

Plan, Hamilton House, also known as Magdalen House, is an attractive old whitewashed building, located in the Preston area of Prestonpans in East Lothian in southeast Scotland, by Preston Tower and Northfield House, and built by the Hamiltons. Hamilton House: plan, the courtyard has been partially demolished to the passage marked on the plan and the road widened (MacGibbon and Ross)
Coat of arms, Hamilton House, also known as Magdalen House, is an attractive old whitewashed building, located in the Preston area of Prestonpans in East Lothian in southeast Scotland, by Preston Tower and Northfield House, and built by the Hamiltons. Hamilton House: coat of arms(© Martin Coventry)

A hexagonal stair tower stands in one re-entrant angle, and a round corbelled-out turret with a conical roof in the other. The roof is steep and stone-tiled, and the gables are corbiestepped. The walls are whitewashed, and the house is dated 1626 or 28, with the initials IH and KS for Sir John Hamilton, Lord Magdalen, and Katherine Sympson, and the three dormer pediments have Hamilton’s arms, their impaled inititials and the date 1628, and Katherine’s arms. 

Courtyard, Hamilton House, also known as Magdalen House, is an attractive old whitewashed building, located in the Preston area of Prestonpans in East Lothian in southeast Scotland, by Preston Tower and Northfield House, and built by the Hamiltons. Hamilton House: courtyard, now partly demolished (MacGibbon and Ross)
Hall with fireplace, Hamilton House, also known as Magdalen House, is an attractive old whitewashed building, located in the Preston area of Prestonpans in East Lothian in southeast Scotland, by Preston Tower and Northfield House, and built by the Hamilto Hamilton House: hall with fireplace (MacGibbon and Ross)
Hamilton House, also known as Magdalen House, is an attractive old whitewashed building, located in the Preston area of Prestonpans in East Lothian in southeast Scotland, by Preston Tower and Northfield House, and built by the Hamiltons. Hamilton House (© Martin Coventry)

The courtyard was formerly larger with an outbuilding and pend but these have been demolished with the widening of the road. The road level on the south has also been raised about two feet.
  The building has been completely altered inside.

Hamilton House, also known as Magdalen House, is an attractive old whitewashed building, located in the Preston area of Prestonpans in East Lothian in southeast Scotland, by Preston Tower and Northfield House, and built by the Hamiltons. Hamilton House (© Martin Coventry)
Hamilton House, also known as Magdalen House, is an attractive old whitewashed building, located in Prestonpans, by Preston Tower and Northfields House, and built by the Hamiltons. Hamilton House (MacGibbon and Ross)

The house was a property of the Hamiltons, and was built for Sir John Hamilton, Lord Magdalens and a Senator of the College of Justice, brother of the 1st Earl of Haddington. The Hamiltons left the property in the 1740s, and during the 19th century the building was used as abarracks and as a tavern. The building was owned by the Hislops around 1880. Although derelict at one time and due to be demolished, the building was sold to The National Trust of Scotland in 1937 and has been restored as a private residence.

  This is one of five old houses in Prestonpans, the others being nearby Preston Tower (also see this entry for Athelstane Lodge) and Northfield House, and Harlawhill House.

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