Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, Scotland
Hopetoun House is the traditional residence of the Earl of Hopetoun (later the Marquess of Linlithgow). Located near South Queensferry to the west of Edinburgh, Scotland, it was built 1699-1701 and designed by William Bruce. The House was then hugely extended from 1721 by William Adam until his death in 1748 being one of his most notable projects. The interior was completed by his sons John Adam and Robert Adam. The magnificent entrance hall dates from 1752.
The parklands in which it lies were laid out in 1725, also by William Adam. The east front centres on the distant isle of Inchgarvie and North Berwick Law. The walled garden dates from the late 18th century. In the grounds an 18th century mound was excavated in 1963 to reveal the remains of the earlier manor house, Abercorn Castle, dating from the 15th century.
The Hope family acquired the land in the 17th century. Charles Hope, the first occupant, was only 16 years old when his mother, Lady Margaret Hope, signed the contract for building with William Bruce, on 28 September 1698.[1] The master mason is noted as Tobias Bachope of Alloa. The plumber and glazier was John Forster of Berwick.
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Please watch: Should we adopt a second greyhound?
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Lallybroch, Midhope Castle - Outlander
Lallybroch, the home of Jamie Fraser in the hit TV series Outlander. I found some of the tv locations while on Holiday in the UK xmas 2016. This location is otherwise known as Midhope Castle. The first reference to this property is back in 1458 known then as Medhope. John Martyne Built this and remained until his death in 1478. When it passed over to Henry Levingstone.
In 1582 Midhope passed to Alexander Drummond and his wife Marjorie Bruce.
In 1587 Alexander rebuilt the tower and turrets.
In 1664 The present doorway and lineal are the work of G.L.George Livingstone, third earl of Linlithgow, it was during is lifetime the castle took the shape we see today.
Hopetoun House - Edinburgh
Hopetoun House sits on the outskirts of Edinburgh overlooking South Queensferry and the Firth of Forth. This resplendent stately home, built in the 17th century, is still lived in to this day. The house is open to the public during the summer months and the 6500 acres of grounds are accessible all year round for walking and enjoying the surroundings.
Building began in 1699 with additions made in 1721-1747 concluding in the extensive façade, where influences of architectural grandeur from Europe can be witnessed. Sir Walter Scott who masterminded the first state visit to Scotland by a British sovereign in nearly two centuries, chose this house as a centrepiece suitable for the King's visit, and was seen as one of the first movements towards a rapprochement between England and Scotland. Still occupied by the Earl of Hopetoun and his family, the house has been a fine example of a Scottish estate for the last three centuries.
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Winter in Scotland- my favorite place in the world!!
I fell in love with Scotland when I was in college. I ended up studying abroad twice and living there for a total of 7 months. I’ve gone back multiple times since so keep in mind that these are the decisions an experienced traveler made ( not that you need to be experienced to do what I did just that I had options and background knowledge on what might be best to do and this is what I chose!)
I don’t know if it’s the gloomy skies, soot covered gothic buildings, and the handsome men in kilts with the charming accents and personalities or if it’s the feeling I got the first time that I landed in a place where no one knew me and I didn’t know anyone and I was free to truly be myself but either way, I fell in love with Scotland.
If you aren’t already a fan of HBO’s Outlander series, you should be. That’s what inspired my stay in Scotland this time around, along with the amazing deal I got on the flight via the Hopper app.
This trip was in November, which Scots consider winter so a LOT of attractions are closed and on top of that, a lot of Scotlands most hidden treasures are hard to find. They’re not often listed as places to go by google or pamphlets in Scotland. This was also a family friendly trip as I took this trip with my 4 year old son and my mother tagging along which is worth mentioning. Winter is a great time to go if you want to save money on flights as well as hotels and enjoy Edinburgh during the holidays which is purely magical.
The bed and breakfast we stayed at (Parkhead House) is known for being central to many of Outlander’s most used and famous filming locations (as well as having special access to some things Outlander).
Whether or not you’re an Outlander fan need not matter as this location in a suburb of Edinburgh is central to many castles as well as nearby Edinburgh city centre and airport. The house itself is just outside of South Queensferry which offers quaint restaurants, breathtaking views, and free parking.
The house itself is located on the Hopetoun estate (the Versailles of Scotland, a must-see) and is on the most peaceful British “deer park” (or as we would say in the US, farm) you can imagine. While you sleep peacefully in the country side, sheep and deer frolic in the fields just outside your window. Could it be anymore story book?! The Parkhead house also offers a wide variety of breakfast including anything you want off of the menu cooked by James, the host! Angela and James were amazing; helpful, and very friendly hosts, we loved them! If you’re renting a car this couldn’t be a better place for you! B&B LINK:
PLACES WE VISITED
1. Blackness Castle
2. Stirling Castle
3. The Rail Bridge Restaurant Queensferry
4. Linlithgow Palace and Abbey (Mary Queen of Scots birthplace)
5. Dunfermline Castle and Abbey
6. The Four Mary’s Pub
7. Beecraig’s Country Park
8. Edinburgh Christmas Market
9. The Witchery by the castle
10. Midhope Castle midhope-castle
11. Culzean Castle
12. The Old Boathouse
13. The Hopetoun House
14. The Abbotsford House
15. Melrose Abbey
16. Dalkeith Palace (where I studied abroad)
Outlander Location Broch Tuarach Abercorn Near Edinburgh Scotland
Tour Scotland travel video of Broch Tuarach on ancestry visit to Abercorn by South Queensferry near Edinburgh. During the latter 16th century, the tower house belonged to Alexander Drummond of Midhope, brother to Robert Drummond of Carnock, Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland. The tower house, 5 storeys and an attic high, is featured as a location in the Outlander TV series as the main character, Jamie Fraser's family home called Lallybroch but also known as Broch Tuarach.
Linlithgow palace Scotland 2014 visit (HD)
Visit to Linlithgow Palace an footage of Linlithgow palace
Edimbourg
Edinburgh, Culross, Doune Castle, Linlithgow, Blackness Castle, Midhope Castle, Queensferry bridge, Haymarket, Edinburgh Airport. Sept 2019
Dumfries House Scotland
Dumfries House, Adam's Palladian style mansion, sensitively restored partly with a cash donation from Prince Charles.
Blackness Castle (of Outlander fame) on the John Muir Way
Join the Absolute Escapes team as they walked part of the John Muir Way from Linlithgow to South Queensferry. You can see Blackness Castle of Outlander fame in the background ...
Officially opened in 2014, the John Muir Way is the newest of Scotland’s official long distance trails, running through the heartland of the country. In a tribute to the 19th-century conservationist and father of national parks, the trail takes you from the West coast at Helensburgh, to his birthplace at Dunbar on the East Coast.
It’s a walk of contrasts, taking in stunning beaches, quiet canals, rolling farmland and picturesque woodlands. At 134 miles it is one of the longest of Scotland's trails, but offers one of the best serviced of Britain’s coast-to-coast expeditions. It is well waymarked and offers few sustained climbs - a great option for someone looking at their first long distance walk!
It is also a route which visits some of the architectural and archeological highlights of Scotland, including the Roman Antonine Wall, Linlithgow Palace, the Falkirk Wheel, the Forth Bridges and the City of Edinburgh.
Summer drive in the city of Stirling, July 2018, Scotland
Summer drive in the city of Stirling, July 2018, Scotland
Blackness Castle
Located on a rocky promontory beyond the village of Blackness, Blackness Castle stands on the south shore of the Firth of Forth 3 miles (5 km) east of Bo'ness. It was built as a place of defence around 1440 by the Crichton family. By 1453 ownership had passed to the Crown, Sir George Crichton (brother of Sir William, Chancellor of Scotland) having presented it to King James II (1430-60). Between 1537 and 1543 the castle was reinforced by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart (d.1540) to become one of the strongest fortifications in Scotland. It was at this time that the castle took the form of a ship, with the bow pointing out to the river and the stern facing inland. Blackness was used as a high-security prison until 1707, its most famous prisoner being Cardinal David Beaton (1494 - 1548). It was besieged and severely damaged by Oliver Cromwell's army in 1650, and was subsequently repaired to confine the Covenanters in 1667. After 50 years of obscurity, it was pressed into service once again to hold French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars until 1815.
The castle comprises three towers, the Central Tower rising to four storeys, the South Tower where the principal residential rooms were located, and the North Tower where the prison and pit were to be found.
In 1870, the castle was converted once again to become the principal ammunition depot for Scotland. Separate barrack blocks for the officers and men were constructed along with a new seaward entrance and a long pier extending out into the deep water of the river.
Blackness which was acquired by the Ministry of Works in 1912 was briefly reused as a military installation during the First World War. It was refurbished during the 1920s to remove the more modern buildings within its walls and to restore its appearance as a mediaeval castle. Today it is in the care of Historic Scotland and has been used as a film location for productions of Hamlet and Ivanhoe.
Music: Flowers of the Forest, Mike Oldfield.
Star & Garter Hotel and Mary's Meanders, Linlithgow - A Taste of Outlander
Two Linlithgow businesses have got together to launch a traditional Scottish themed evening of food and entertainment, based on the hugely popular Outlander books and the TV series, currently airing in the USA. The filming sets for the TV series include local sites such as Blackness Castle, Linlithgow Palace and Beecraigs woods.
Mary’s Meanders have joined forces with The Star & Garter Hotel to bring the “Outlander experience” to you. Set in Jacobean surroundings, it will include a meal from the Outlander inspired blog Outlander Kitchen, with traditional Scottish music and entertainment, including a resident Gaelic bard.
Glencoe House's New Bell Tower Suites - Scotland
Glencoe House's new Bell Tower Suites are welcoming guests (and they are stunning!)