1699

Yester House

Construction on Yester House began in 1699 and continued well into the 18th century in a series of building phases.

It is now protected as a category A listed building and the grounds of which are also included in the ‘Inventory of Garden and Designed Landscapes in Scotland’, the national listing of significant gardens.

It was the home of the Hay family, later Marquesses of Tweeddale, from the 15th century, was then purchased by two antiques dealers who promptly sold to world-renowned Italian composer Gian Carlo Menotti in 1972. Menotti was a very influential composer of his time whose operas are still hugely enjoyed today.

In 2014 the current owners, Garreth and Nicola Wood, along with their two young children purchased Yester House. For four years they have carefully restored Yester House and its surrounding gardens, giving it a welcoming breath of fresh air. This is a home that they hope to enjoy with family and friends for many years to come.

The Estate

Over 6,000 acres of woodland are said to have been planted by the 1st Earl and his son, the 1st Marquess at Yester Estate.

Now, in 2021, the estate is the proud custodian of over 550 acres of woodland, private gardens, farmland and Yester House itself.

The grounds of Yester Estate are home to some beautiful and significant woodland specimens.

Trees we are especially proud of:

  • UK Champion Fagus Sylvaticus (Beech) standing proud at 41m tall along the river bank
  • Sequioadendron Giganteum (Giant Redwood) at 43m
  • The very popular and beautiful Taxus Baccata (Yew), an East Lothian County Campion at 20.5m

Yester Castle


It is with a sad heart Yester Estate is having to close Yester Castle to public access with the recommendations from Historic Scotland and East Lothian Council under health and safety due to the stone being removed making the structurally unstable. This has been reported to the police as theft and criminal damage any information can be passed on to the police with incident number 1181 120321. We will keep you posted with updates as they arise thank you for your help and support in this matter.