Traquair Castle

Visited by 27 Scottish Kings and Queens, including Mary Queen of Scots, Traquair dates back to 1107 and has been lived in by the Stuart family since 1491.

Accommodation

Traquair has three spacious double bedrooms, adorned with antique furniture, canopied beds, private bathrooms and central heating.

The Pink Room is a luxurious suite on the first floor of the house overlooking the maze. Originally Lord Traquair’s room, it contains an 18th-century trompe l’oeil over the fireplace.

The Blue and White Rooms are located in the late 17th-century wing of the house, on the ground floor, adjacent to the Lower Drawing Room, where guests can relax in the evening in front of an open fire.

The Blue Room looks onto Cupid’s Garden, while the White Room has excellent views up to the Bear Gates.

The excellent Scottish breakfasts are prepared by the housekeeper, and served in the elegant Still Room.

Fresh, local produce is used wherever possible with a full cooked breakfast, as well as continental alternatives, available.

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The House

Guests can take a tour through the house where there are 19 rooms open to the public. The house has an intimate family feel with the main rooms reflecting an eighteenth century décor. However, step through to the original tower and you can see the bed where Mary Queen of Scots slept and the original stair that became part of the secret escape route for Catholic priests in times of terror.

The Grounds

The Maze

The Maze is situated at the rear of the house. It has an intriguing layout with no dead ends and the visitor must reach four sub centres before coming to the centre. The terrace walls provide an excellent vantage point for parents to try and direct their children out of the maze.

The Brewery

Traquair House Brewery lies in the wing of the house directly underneath the Chapel. It dates back to the early 1700’s and was originally a domestic brewery serving the house and the estate. It was disused in the early 1800’s but never dismantled.

Peter Maxwell Stuart rediscovered the brewery in the early 1960’s and began brewing again in 1965 using all the original equipment.

Its rich dark ales are now exported all over the world although production remains small at only 1,000 hectolitres a year.

The Chapel

The Chapel was created in 1829 after the passing of the Catholic Emancipation Act allowing Roman Catholics freedom to worship in public. It is Victorian in style with pews for servants and estate workers and a separate screened area at the back for the family.

The Old Walled Garden

The Old Walled Garden is now mainly grassed over but with some surviving apple trees and a herbaceous border which has been developed here. It is situated next to the Garden Cafe where you can eat outside in the summer. There is also a small pond and fountain.

Woodlands

Traquair was originally built in part of the Ettrick Forest and today it continues to be surrounded by ancient woodlands and more recent plantings. Some of the oldest Yew trees in Scotland can be found on a woodland walk as well as striking examples of Scots Pine, Douglas Fir, Horse Chestnut, Limes, Ash and Beech.

Fishing

The world-famous River Tweed runs alongside Traquair and has two miles of some of the finest trout, grayling, sea trout and salmon fishing available throughout the year. The best season to fish for salmon is October-November. Trout and sea trout are available from April to the end of September and grayling fishing is available throughout the year.

Instruction and guiding is available, from beginners and youngsters, to accomplished anglers.

Children’s Activities

Within the grounds, a magnet for most children is the Maze. Additionally, a mini adventure playground is situated at the back of the house with equipment for all ages. Alongside it is a toddlers’ play area, swings and a playhouse.

Scavenger hunts and activity sheets for children can be picked up at the Gift Shop.

History

Traquair is Scotland’s Oldest Inhabited House. It has been lived in for over 900 years and was originally a hunting lodge for the Kings and Queens of Scotland.

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