Hopetoun House

History

Architecture

The house was built 1699–1701 and designed by Sir William Bruce with Bruce's master mason Tobias Bauchop in charge of the construction and working drawings (aided by his apprentice Alexander Edward). 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 Hope family acquired the land in the 17th century and operated lead mines. 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. The master mason was Tobias Bachope of Alloa. The plumber and glazier was John Forster of Berwick.

The house was the site of the departure of King George IV on 29 August 1822 after his Scottish visit and the knighthood of Captain Adam Ferguson and Henry Raeburn.

Grounds

The English garden style landscape park 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.

Preservation

In 1974, Charles William Frederick Hope, 3rd Marquess of Linlithgow created The Hopetoun House Preservation Trust to ensure Hopetoun House and the estate were preserved for future generations.

Access

Throughout the year, Hopetoun House plays host to weddings, private events, and exclusive celebrations, with its grand interiors, catering, and surroundings.

Open to the public from Easter to late September, the House and Grounds offer a seasonal visitor experience, architecture and natural beauty.

In popular culture

First seen as the Duke of Sandringham's home, Hopetoun House has been used in seasons 1, 2 and 3 of Outlander, to recreate scenes in Scotland, England and Paris.

In 2020, some scenes for the ITV drama series Belgravia were filmed at the castle.

In the 2020 film The Princess Switch: Switched Again, Hopetoun House was used for the exterior of the fictional Montenaro Royal Palace.

References

References

1. "The Trust".
2. {{Historic Environment Scotland
3. {{Historic Environment Scotland
4. Alloa Advertiser (newspaper) 25 August 2021
5. "Leadhills & Wanlockhead Mines".
6. ''Buildings of Scotland: Lothian'', by Colin McWilliam
7. Lockhart, John G.. (14 February 1837). "Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott: In Three Volumes". Baudry's European Library.
8. "Charles William Hope, 3rd Marquis of Linlithgow".
9. "Hopetoun House".
10. (12 April 2020). "Where is ITV's Belgravia filmed?". Radio Times.
11. [https://findthatlocation.com/blog/the-princess-switch-switched-again-filming-locations The Princess Switch: Switched Again Filming Locations], 18 November 2021