92
M E L L E R S T A I N H O U S E
B E R W I C K S H I R E , S C O T L A N D
T h e R i g h t H o n o u r a b l e T h e E a r l o f H a d d i n g t o n
The 13th Earl of Haddington is represented by two great Scottish stately homes:
Tyninghame, with astonishing gardens overlooking the coast and across Lucia’s
Lammermoors; and Mellerstain, built for the 7th Earl by Robert Adam. No effort
was spared to fire the interiors with a dynamic display of powerful plasterwork
in low and high relief, sometimes brightly coloured and sometimes subtly pastel.
Vistas from the house include lakes, formal gardens and wild forestland. Bearing
the same name, Hamilton, the ancestry of the Earl merges in the 13th century
with that of the Dukes of Abercorn and Hamilton, whose fortunes at the time
were those of the rulers of Scotland. The Earl’s forebears adventured to and
influenced the courts of Spain and France, and were instrumental in the union
of Scotland and England in the succession of James I and VI. Ancient titles
such as Lord Privy Seal and Hereditary Keeper of Holyrood House, and Knight
Marischel of Scotland scatter the pedigree. The present Earl’s father, who died in
1986, was courtier, soldier, poet and horseman – riding in the infamous Grand
National Steeplechase. He was Lord Lieutenant of his county and Captain of
the Queen’s Bodyguard. He was also a Knight of the Thistle, Scotland’s most
illustrious order, whose members are elected by the Sovereign.
