Whitefoord House

Whitefoord House is a three-story white-harled building with a Roman-Doric porch located on the north side of Edinburgh's Canongate at the Royal Mile below Calton Hill. It now operates as a veterans residence with private rooms, self-contained flats, shared lounges, recreational facilities, and grounds.

The mansion was designed by architect Robert Mylne and built in 1769 as a townhouse for Sir John Whitefoord. A previous structure on this site, Lord Seton's Lodging, hosted Lord Darnley in 1565 before his marriage to Mary, Queen of Scots.

The building takes its name from Sir John Whitefoord, an early supporter of poet Robert Burns who commissioned its design. Today it serves veterans and reflects their place in Scottish life and community.

The house sits directly on the Royal Mile where access is straightforward and nearby attractions are easy to reach. Keep in mind this is an active residents facility, so visiting opportunities may be limited.

In 1926 Lady Haig established Scotland's first Poppy Factory within this building, where veterans crafted remembrance poppies for nationwide distribution. This workshop became a meaningful way to support war veterans and provide them with purposeful work.

Location: City of Edinburgh

GPS coordinates: 55.95253,-3.17643

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:06