The Smeaton estate was owned by a branch of the Hepburn family for almost four hundred years until 1934. They excavated a lake to the north of a volcanic ridge in the 1820’s and planted significant trees on the site. The estate is now owned by the Gray family. It is now a special area which members of the public may visit.
Seasonal information leaflets are available at the
The collection of trees and shrubs is vulnerable to the new disease called sudden oak death. Visitors to the estate are asked to stay to the paths at all times. The disease can affect a wide range of plants and not just Oak.
Please respect the wild life around the lake and keep dogs under control. The following list of the staff at Smeaton was extracted from the cash book of the Buchan Hepburn archives which are privately held. The list is for information only and no further details or later achives are available.
Further information on the estate and its history is available from David Affleck of the East Linton Horticultural Society. Additional information on the Hepburns of Smeaton is being compiled.
The private garden area can be visited by organised groups who apply in advance to the owners..
Advance Notice
On Saturday 10th September 2011, there will be a conference on Smeaton held by the Garden History Society.
The summer edition 2011 of East Lothian Life will have the third article following the footsteps of Dr Patrick Neill in 1812 and will look at his visit to Smeaton.