Sir Alexander Seton of
Pitmedden was the 2nd son of John Seton of Pitmedden, 3rd Laird,
who was killed at the Bridge of Dee in 1639 (known as Bonnie John
Seton). John Seton was succeeded by his eldest son, James
Seton, as 4th Laird, however James died childless in 1667 and his
brother Sir Alexander Seton succeeded as 5th Laird.
Alexander was bred to the profession of Law, and having greatly
distinguished himself received
the honor of Knighthood by King Charles II in 1664. He was an
advocate and became a Senator of the College of Justice and a Lord
of Justiciary, taking the title of Lord Pitmeddon, in 1677, and
was Member of Parliament for the County of Aberdeen in 1681-82 and
1685-86. He was created a baronet of Nova Scotia on the 11th of
December, 1683.
Sir Alexander
Seton, Lord Pitmeddon, founded the Great Garden with its pavilions and fountains and manicured look,
and it's magnificent
formal
geometric garden within a walled square and divided into four
Parterre's, in 1675. One of the
quarters has a floral saltire and thistle, and the coat-of-arms of the Setons,
Lairds of Pitmedden. Another has a sundial and floral depiction of
the well-known Latin dictum, tempus fugit. One of the notable features is the eastern half
of the square modeled on the Charles II garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in
Edinburgh.
The Garden's were continued
by his successor, Sir William Seton, 2nd Baronet of Pitmedden, and
one of the Scottish Members of Parliament and Commissioners who
treated the Union of Scotland and England to form the Kingdom of
Great Britain.
