Series 1 > Journals of Sir John Lauder, Lord Fountainhall, with his observations on public affairs and other memoranda, 1665-1676

MUSSELBURGH AND PINKIE
189
Went on the 20 of September 1668 to Musselburgh to sie
the Mid Lothian Militia, being a regiment 10 companies
{id est, Lauderdales Collonel, Sir Jo. Nicolsons of Polton Lieu¬
tenant Collonel, Gogars Major, Mortanhalls, Deans, Halzeards,
Calderhalls, Sir Mark Kars1 of Cockpens, etc.), muster in a
rendezvous in the Links. Saw in going Stainehill, a sweit place,
the Dobies, ware burgesses, now Mr. William Sharps, keiper
of the Kings Signet, about a mile on the west of Mussleburgh
Water and bridge and Mussleburgh on the eist.
On the way to the south stands Innerask2 with its kirk.
Hard at the toune stands Pinkie, built about the year 1612
by Alexander Seton, Erie of Dumferling, Lord High Chan-
cellar of Scotland. His lady was Maitland, a daughter of the
then Lord Thirlistanes (who had bein King James his Secretarie
and Chancellar), now Erles of Lauderdale : his name and hirs
are in manie places of the house. This Erie of Dunferline
that stayes at London is his sone, hes so morcaged his Estate
that my Lord Tueddalle for security of cautionry for him hes
tane possession of Pinkie, Fyvie, Dunferline, with whatsomever
other thing rests of his estate and is like to bruik it. Its a
most magnificent, statelie building [it hes but 20 chalder
victual belonging to it]:3 much cost hes bein wared theirupon.
Their is a brave building of a well in the court, fine shade of
tries that fetches you into it, excellent lar[ge] gallries and
dining roumes. He hes bein mighty conceity in pretty
mottoes and sayings, wheirof the walls and roofs of all the
roumes are filled, stuffed with good moralitie, tho somethat
pedantick. See Spotiswood of him in Anno 1622, page 543.
A most sweit garden, the knot much larger than that at
Hamilton and in better order. The rest of the yeard nether
so great nor in so good order nor so well planted with such
varietie as is in Hamilton yeards. The knot heir will be 200
foot square, a mighty long grein walk. Saw figs at a verie
great perfection. Above the utter gait as ye enter in to the
place their is an inscription in golden letters telling the founder
theirof, and assuring them that shall ever attempt to destroy
1 Apparently a son of the Earl of Lothian, afterwards a general of the army.
2 Now Inveresk. 3 Interlined.