Gosford Estate Forest

Built between 1790 and 1800 to plans by Robert Adam, Gosford House near Longniddry in East Lothian is the family seat of the Charteris family, the Earls of Wemyss and March. A familiar site today in many films and tv series, you can read more about this significant neoclassical country house and its owners on the Gosford Estate website or its Wikipedia page.

Having been left partially wild for many years, Gosford’s substantial classically designed pleasure grounds and forested policies –containing an artificial lake, boat house, ice house, shell grotto, mausoleum and many more interesting features – have been carefully restored to much of their former grandeur since 2008, under the care of the current Earl of Wemyss and March. You can find out more about the grounds and how to access them and download a map here.

Salt of the Earth – Preston, Seton, Gosford Heritage Connections is a Heritage Lottery funded project whose partial aim is to raise awareness of the built, natural and intangible heritage assets in this corner of East Lothian. Project manager Dr Jill de Fresne and film-maker Ruth Barrie have produced this fascinating short film about the woods and foresters of the Gosford Estate.

In it they interview Jimmy Blakely and James “Peem” Fairgrieve, two foresters with many years of experience on the Estate between them and a wealth of stories to share.

Do enjoy these wonderful, personal insights into one of East Lothian’s most special outdoor spaces.