What a pleasant surprise to find Harvieston listed here as a topic.
Harvieston, an estate, with an old, thick walled mansion, greatly enlarged in 1869. The estate was sold in 1919 and brought to an end the connection to an old Midlothian family of Trotter-Cranstoun.
George Cranstoun, Laird of Dewar, Heriot Water, secured Harvieston by purchase in 1770. Prior to that date the property of Harvieston appears to have previously belonged to a family of the name of Campbell. Since 1770, there have been six lairds of Harvieston.
The stone curtain wall surrounding the estate was built between 1830 and 1840, when much was done to make the grounds a delightful place by planting shrubs and trees.
I have traced my ancestors back to the 1770s with at least two or three generations servants at Harvieston. Alexander Smith, servant to Mr Cranstoun in Harvieston married Isabel Chisholm and six of their issue were baptised at Harvieston. Another, William Smith, Coachman at Harvieston married Isabella MacKay on 7 Nov 1806 at Harvieston.
Family oral history: The Cranstouns of Dewar, farmers who once reside at Borthwick Hall thought so much of their servant Alexander Smith that they brought him to Harvieston when they relocated there. This I yet to prove.
I have made two visits to the estate over the years, retracing my roots so to speak and found it be an attractive place. Yes, it was then run down, but you could still feel the majestic nature of the old place especially as I drove along its tree lined approach rode.
I will gladly share any knowledge I have of Harvieston and its inhabitants, hope this is of some use to you.
Best regards
Roy [from a long line of Smiths]
