Hopetoun House

Built 300 years ago, on land bought by John Hope, Hopetoun House closely resembles a fine English country mansion, not unlike a scaled-down version of Blenheim Palace. But, with a clear view of the great Forth bridges from its elevated location above the shore of the river estuary, Hopetoun House is an example of pure Scottish architecture. Begun by Sir William Bruce, who had previously designed Holyroodhouse, and later enlarged by William Adam, many of the main apartments have survived with their original decorative work intact.

When John, descended from established merchant traders in Edinburgh, was drowned in a shipwreck at the age of 32, his newly acquired estate was left to his baby son Charles, who was later created the first Earl of Hopetoun. Between him and his son's time, Hopetoun House took on its splendid form with the main core of the building planned by Bruce, and the flanking pavilions and interior designs incorporated by Adam senior initially, completed by his son John about 20 years later. At the beginning of the 20th century, the 7th Earl became the first Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and in 1902 was created the Marquess of Linlithgow. Following in his father's footsteps, the 2nd Marquess was Governor-General and Viceroy of India for seven years. In 1974 a charitable trust was formed to preserve the estate, but the current Marquess of Linlithgow still resides in the private apartments at Hopetoun House.

There is a marked contrast in styles between the two notable Scottish architects, with Bruce's rooms verging on the more serviceable, dour side, using plain ceilings and a lot of dark wood panelling, whilst Adam's creations are typically classical and adorned with fabulous plasterwork ceilings and friezes. Then somewhere in the middle of these two distinctive décors, a complete late Regency-style dining room suddenly appears. This elegant room was the result of an early 19th century conversion, by James Gillespie Graham, of a former bedroom.

Accessed by a separate entrance off the forecourt is the South Pavilion, built by Adam to house the library but consequently utilised as an indoor riding school. No doubt Adam would have been turning in his grave until 1881, at which time it was more suitably decked with 17th century tapestries and eventually used as the ballroom. Certainly Adam retained an association with Hopetoun House in the 'after life' as the flambuoyant, baroque façade he added to the house was depicted on his tomb.

Hailed as "Scotland's finest Stately Home", and the largest, it is surrounded by equally impressive grounds covering approximately 100 acres. Although the gardens have been dramatically transformed from the original, slightly exotic plan to a more basic, natural shape, the wonderful woodland walks and the spectacular views across the Forth are most enjoyable.