Colstoun Attractions

East Lothian

Colstoun House is, if not the oldest house in Scotland, it is the longest inhabited house by one family in Scotland, over 900 years in the same family. First Mention of Brun (Broun) (Brown) is Walter Le Brun, 1st of Colstoun and Glamilshiels circa 1116. This branch returning to France.

The family are Broun's of Colstoun. Colstoun House is set in circa 2000 acres of land hidden in a wood centuries old. Colstoun Estate has many things to see and do on it. You can even stay here for a holiday.

The first Broun (Brown) recorded to be born Colstoun House was a George Broun in 1438 from the Broun of Midmar Aberdeenshire. He died in Strathdon Aberdeenshire 1514. He had two sons, William Brown, born 1460 Coulston, East Lothian Scotland, James Broun, born 1493 Colstoun East Lothian Scotland

Like all old Castles this one is no different with stories of many goings on, but the most famous is of the Colstoun Pear.

When looking around the house you will see a Pear in every room.

The Legend

of the

Colstoun Pear

With more than one version of the Colstoun Pear legend this one maybe true.

The Pear was a wedding gift from Sir Hugo de Gifford (Lord Yester) of Yester Castle. Hugo was said to be a warlock and the coven was below the Castle at Yester. Gifted to George Broun on his marriage to Hugo's daughter, On passing the the pear he informed his son-in-law that, good as the lass might be, her tocher (dowry) was still better, for while she could only be of use in her own day and generation, the pear, so long as it continued in the family, would cause it to flourish till the end of time.

The pear was accordingly preserved with great care in a silver case by the fortunate recipient and his descendants.

And it has been preserved in the silver box, reportedly remaining as fresh and luscious as the day it was picked.

In 1692, Sir George Broun of Colstoun, 2nd Baronet, was to marry the highlander, Lady Elizabeth Mackenzie, daughter of George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromarty. On their wedding night, Elizabeth dreamed of taking a bite of the pear (this was considered a bad omen by her father-in-law). When she was pregnant, the story goes, she developed a craving for the pear and ultimately couldn’t resist taking a bite. The pear immediately turned brown, hard and shriveled up like a walnut. Following the infamous "bite" of the pear, George fell into gambling and eventually lost so much money that he had to sell Colstoun to his brother, Robert. Sir George reportedly died penniless in Spain in 1718.

The bad luck continued but the house remained safe in the family. It is believed still to be in the same silver box hidden away in the house to this day.