Seton Collegiate Church

Seton Collegiate Church is situated within a lovely woodland setting and is an oasis of tranquillity. Seton is one of the finest surviving medieval collegiate churches in Scotland and originally dates back to the 13th century. In the 15th century, the church was increasingly used as the private place of worship and burial vault of the Seton family whose residence lay immediately to the west on a site now occupied by Seton Palace.

In 1470, the first Lord Seton introduced the college of priests and the ruins of what are thought to be the priests’ houses can be seen in the corner of the site. The Protestant Reformation of 1560 effectively prevented the church being used for masses by the Setons and the Church continued for a while as the parish kirk. Following the union of the parishes of Seton and Tranent in 1580, the building fell out of active use. The kirk was later ransacked and the Seton tombs broken into. Later that century the estate passed to the Earl of Wemyss, who restored what survived of the kirk as his family’s burial place.

Seton Church is well worth a visit. It sits within lovely grounds and the interior of the church is beautiful.

This site is managed by Historic Scotland. More information about this site can be found at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Directions: Seton Collegiate Church is located to the immediate south-east of Port Seton. The small car park is situated approximately 1.5km west of Longniddry on the B1961 just as it turns into dual carriageway.

Additional Information: Admission charges. Seasonal opening hours.