Maitlandfield House History

Haddington Edinburgh East Lothian

The original mansion house was named Bearford House and was built in 1654. Bearford’s House was one of the many properties of Francis Charteris, Earl of Wemyss and was transferred to the ownership of Lieutenant Thomas Maitland in April 1754. The House was remodeled about this time and renamed Maitlandfield.

In 1794 Thomas Maitland made over the property to his son Charles who served with distinction in the Indian Army and became Colonel of the East Lothian Yeomanry in 1797.

In 1825 Thomas Maitland, the heir of Charles Maitland of Maitlandfield, inherited Maitlandfield.

In the 1840’s Thomas and Agnes Howden took ownership of Maitlandfield House. The Howdens were Goldsmiths in Edinburgh from the middle of the eighteenth century. Thomas Howden was Provost of the burgh in 1877.

In 1901 his son, Robert Howden MBCM, a ship’s doctor with a Master’s Certificate, inherited the property. He died in 1907 aged 43 years. He was an elder at St. Mary’s Parish Church for 17 years and left Maitlandfield to his son Thomas.

The House had many changes and also many uses in the service of the community like during World War II Maitlandfield was used by the Ministry of Food as offices and in 1952 it was taken over by the British Transport Commission to enable the widening of Mill Wynd.

In 1999 the Maitlandfield House Hotel was purchased by the De Freitas family, professional hoteliers for many years. They have made many changes to this great house including renovating the Walled Garden with Fountain and Stable Yard. They have also upgraded and decorated the hotel bedrooms in the Main House and the East and West Wings.

Additional luxury rooms where also added to the main house including the Wemyss Luxury Rooms and Suites giving the hotel 25 Rooms with a variety of accommodation. From Comfort to total Luxury . The self contained Great Hall Conference & Banqueting Suite, comfortably accommodating up to 200 guests, was opened by an event hosted by Citizens Advice Scotland attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Ann in November 2002. The popular and unique informal Brasserie, was redeveloped in November 2007, to help it to remain fit for a King. Today Maitlandfield House is a four star hotel with a Country house flavour.

Is there a ghost?
Well, some say there is but if so she enjoys a contented existence in the peaceful surroundings. No food is ever missing so perhaps the ghost feeds on the wonderful aromas wafting from the kitchen. We hope that you too will enjoy the gracious ambience of the Brasserie and Bar and be titillated by the menu to savour, which William Black, has artistically created in a modern Scottish and Continental culinary style.

Maitlandfield has created a link with its past with the sixteen kings private dining room. Today the house is still creating links with royalty and other celebrities from film, stage and television, all reminding us of our original links.

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