Situated in the Sidegate area of the town, Haddington House dates from the late seventeenth century. It was originally owned by Alexander Maitland and his spouse Katherine Cunningham. Various alterations have been made to the building over the centuries.

The L-shaped building and octagonal stair-turret of the south face of Haddington House are clearly visible in this 20th century watercolour painting.

Dorothea Nimmo Smith, the artist of this painting, was born in Haddington in 1889. A keen amateur artist, she sketched and painted many scenes in and around Haddington. East Lothian Council Museum Service has a large collection of her work. The collection is a rich visual source for those interested in Haddington's history.