Hopetoun House, Edinburgh, is Scotland’s finest stately home belonging to the legendary Hope family, with around 6500 acres of stunning natural trails and sites to visit!
From the South Queensferry Hopetoun farm shop and walled garden to the outstanding natural beauty of the rolling parkland and Midhope Castle; it’s the perfect location to take in beautiful architecture, enjoy scenic walks, and explore the crevices of living history!
History of Hopetoun House
Hopetoun House, Scotland is owned by the Hopetoun House Preservation Trust, a charitable trust designed to preserve the history of the stunning grounds for future generations.
The house, as well as the Hopetoun House Gardens, was built and extended by Scottish architects Sir William Bruce and William Adam respectively in one of the most splendid examples of design, with its origins tracing back to the early 17th century. John and Robert Adam, William’s sons, finished the remarkable interior.
John Hope originally intended to purchase the grounds for himself, but he sadly drowned en route to Scotland. It was his wife who pushed the West Lothian building plans in his honour, and her son, Sir Charles Hope (who later became the Earl of Hopetoun), was the first resident. Interestingly enough, King George IV also made the house his location of departure in the early 19th century!
For Hopetoun House, history extends farther back than the 17th century; once it was excavated a few decades ago, the remains of Abercorn Castle were revealed, hiding just out of sight in Hopetoun Estate all this time! The Hope family still lives on the grounds in the south wing section.
Details to Remember About Hopetoun House
Heading to Hopetoun House, South Queensferry EH30 9SL for the day? Here are a few details to keep in mind!
Hopetoun House Opening Times
The site opened on Good Friday in 2023 and will reopen on the 29th of March 2024. It is available to visit between 11 am and 5 pm from Thursday to Monday. They are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Remember that the last admission is at 4 pm! Sometimes, they are closed for events, so just pop a query before visiting.
Costs
The costs of Hopetoun House tickets are £30 per person, £45 a couple, and £55 for family group visits. This excludes access to Midhope Castle in Linlithgow; tickets must be purchased from their website.
Accessibility
The Hopetoun House Garden Centre and estate are easily accessible. The site offers two wheelchairs, accessible bathrooms, and ramps to the Stables wing, kitchen, ballroom, and lift. Assistance dogs are welcome, and inaccessible areas like the roof can be viewed through IT equipment. Some pathways are accessible by a mobility scooter.
How to Get To Hopetoun House
Keep your GPS close; here are details about where Hopetoun house is and how to get there via car or public transport.
Ways to Get There Using a Car
The location is approximately 4km west of South Queensferry. You can also make your way there on minor roads north of A904, and the south shore of Firth of Forth. When travelling by car, it’s better to head to South Queensferry. Watch for Forth Road Bridge signs first, and then the brown tourist signs, also posted from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Use the EH30 9RW postal code for Sat Nav, which will transport you from Farquhar Terrace to South Queensferry; from there, it’s a straight road!
Ways to Get There Using Public Transport
There are, unfortunately, no bus routes to Hopetoun Estate, so if you’re not in your own car, your best bet is to Uber or take a taxi.
Attractions at Hopetoun House
Here are some of the best activities and attractions to see at the estate!
Midhope Castle
Midhope Castle is situated on the estate; the outside is beautiful, but the inside is beginning to crumble. It makes for a fun historical adventure, though! To visit the castle, you need to book separately on their website.
Hopetoun House Christmas Fair
The state hosts a lovely Christmas fair every November, with wonderful goodies like artisan creations and a live entertainment experience. Tickets have to be booked online in advance from their website.
The Stables
The Stables kitchen offers delicious home-cooked meals to enjoy during your visit. Even more exciting, they offer a traditional Hopetoun House Afternoon Tea with sandwiches, scones, jam, and speciality hot drinks!
Hopetoun House Walks
The grounds make for some of the most enjoyable walks, in solitude or with your crew. Wander along the nature trails and the road bridge, explore the oldest part of the area, and breathe in the good vibes from Mother Nature!
