The Barony of Wychburgh

The story of Winchburgh's name reaches back to the medieval period.

The earliest surviving form of the place name, Wincelburgh, dates from 1189. The supplied historical account explains the name as Wincel combined with burgh, meaning Wincel's town. By 1377, the name appeared as Wyncheburgh.

The Barony of Niddry was sometimes called the Barony of Winchburgh. The original settlement is thought to have stood near Niddry Castle, while the present village lies west of the Niddry Burn.

In the seventeenth century, the barony was held by the Setons, Earls of Winton. In 1677 George Seton, 4th Earl of Winton, sold the Barony of Niddry or Winchburgh to John Hope of Hopetoun. Following John Hope's death in 1682, it passed to his son Charles.