Traquair House

Leider in der Wintersaison Geschlossen! (Ab Ende Okt.)

A wonderful tour, gardens, BEER, garden maze, animals for the kids. Fantastic place to picnic and visit seeing some wonderful history and heritage. A family favorite!

A medieval event at Traquair House!
This weekend we visited a medieval fayre with a Jousting tournament, Falconry Display (of which the falcon flew away and did not return — for what I know), various minstrels singing medieval aged songs, performers informing us about various crafts and an enthusiastic executioner giving me an earful of stories about various torture instruments. What can I say: «Am I glad, I live today»!
We also tried our expertise in Long Bow Archery and my arm can still feel some pain. Well, it was worth it!
The house is the center point of the area and dates back to 1107 when it was used as a hunting lodge for the Kings and Queens of Scotland. In 1491 it was given to James Stuart, who became the first Laird of Traquair, and remained since then in the same family. It was renovated in the late 90’s and its outer walls are painted white. You would not think that this place is so old, except if you look at the occasional dodgy windows.
The inside is well maintained. There is a dressing room, library, priest room (which was a secret room during the catholic unrest), kings and queens room, main drawing room, dolls room with a fantastic doll house on display, as well as some scary looking porcelain dolls from various countries. You can also find some of the Jacobite and other relics in the museum, which were used by Mary Queen of Scots and her son James, like the baby cradle.
At the entrance you will find locked gates, which won’t be unlocked until a Stuart will be back on the throne once more!
And not to forget the maze — best one I have ever conquered.
The place has its own brewery and sells Ale’s.
Its open all year: Daily from 29^th March — 14^th April 2013; 1^st May — 31^st October 2013
The next fayre takes place end of July and projects the hippy 60’s.
Why not have some outdoor fun!