Palatial, stately home near South Queensferry overlooking the Firth of Forth (just West of the Forth Bridges), with large rambling grounds. Hopetoun is held under private charitable trust, but remains the stately home of the Earl of Hopetoun.
The building makes a grand impression with its sweeping panoramic front. The oldest, part of the house at the back was completed in 1707, year of Scotland's Union with England. William Adam extended the building to include the striking arc after being commissioned to extend the house in 1721.
A tour of the building itself reveals a house that's almost stopped in time, with its Georgian architecture, paintings and furniture that captures a grand lifestyle covering some three centuries.
The 150 acres of parkland, are well maintained with some exotic trees of huge girths. There are also good views down to the sea, and discrete informational signs along the walkways highlight local flora and fauna such as birds and deer.
With a gallery, tea room, Ranger education centre, and viewing platform from the top of the house itself, it's easy to spend a whole day here.
There are also events at Hopetoun House throughout the year, from concerts (piano recitals, Boyzone) to antique fairs and ceilidhs.
Farm and Shop
Hopetoun runs a mixed farming system with 2,500 acres of arable land, Aberdeen Angus cattle, Hebridean and Mule sheep, free-range turkeys and chickens. One hundred and twenty acres are committed to an agro-environmental scheme with 1,800 ewes farmed at nearby Leadhills.
The Hopetoun Farm Shop, launched in 2011, is a showcase of fine Scottish food. Meat, game and poultry reared on the Hopetoun Estate is sold in the Hopetoun Farm Shop, which has been awarded 5 stars by VisitScotland.