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Traquair House 
tra-KWAIR
Innerleithen, near Peebles, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Circa Date: 12th century core w/16th & 17th century alterations
Status: Fully Extant
tra-KWAIR
Innerleithen, near Peebles, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Circa Date: 12th century core w/16th & 17th century alterations
Status: Fully Extant
Special Info / Location/ Date
Special Info
Phonetic Pronunciation of House Name
tra-KWAIR
Location
Country
Scotland
District Today
Scottish Borders
Historic County
Peeblesshire
City / Town / Village
Innerleithen, near Peebles
Latitude
55.608372
Longitude
-3.06393
Date
Start Date
Completion Date
Circa Date
12th century core w/16th & 17th century alterations
Images
Click on thumbnail for a larger view
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Architects
| Designed | Redecorated Library |
| Date | 1823 |
| Designed | Alterations for 4th Earl of Traquair, including forecourt and gate piers |
| Date | circa 1695-99 |
Extant / Listed / References
Extant
Extant Type
Fully Extant
Extant Details
Listed
House Listed As
Grade A
Gardens Listed As
Outstanding
On SAVE Britain's Heritage's List of Buildings at Risk
No
Country House: Yes
References
Vitruvius Britannicus
Vitruvius Scoticus
J.B. Burke (Burke's Visitation of Seats)
Country Life
CVI, 610 plan, 1949.
J.P. Neale (Neale's Views of Seats)
Access / Ownership / Seat
Access
Open to Public Please note: Houses listed as being open "By Appointment" are usually country house hotels or B&Bs.
Yes
Historic Houses Association Member
Yes
Phone Number If calling from the U.S., delete the first "0" in British numbers.
01896-830-323
Fax Number
01896-830-639
Email
Website
Awards
Current Ownership
Current Ownership Type
Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use
Private Home
Current Ownership Use / Details
Seat ("Seat" is loosely defined
as any family that occupied the house for a period of 2 years or more)
Today Seat of
Lady of Traquair: Ms. Catherine Maxwell-Stuart, 21st Laird; Stuart and Maxwell-Stuart family here since 1478.
A Past Seat(s) of
King Alexander I of Scotland, 12th century. Earl of Traquair
Possible (Unsure) Seat of
History / Gardens & Park / Movies
History
Earlier House(s) / Building(s)
House Replaced By
Built / Designed For
House & Family History
Traquair claims to be the oldest inhabited house in Scotland, the earliest parts of it dating from the 12th century. The House was originally a hunting lodge of Scottish kings, with the first recorded royal visit being from King Alexander I, who arrived in 1107 (27 Scottish kings have visited the House). The Scottish Crown owned Traquair until 1478, when the House passed to a branch of the royal Stuart family, whose descendants continue to live here today. The Stuart family was loyal to the Jacobite cause and were passionate Catholics and supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots. After the Glorious Revolution of 1688, hysteria reached such a level that a Protestant mob marched out from Peebles and ransacked Traquair, destroying all the Popish religious objects they found. The House was extensively enlarged and renovated in the 16th and 17th centuries and has been continually inhabited for over 10 centuries. Traquair is important because it predates the Scottish Baronial style of architecture and very likely may have been seminal in the creation of the style.
Collections
This field lists art objects that are currently or were previously in the collection of the house.
For information on the history of British currency, click here. To use a chart that allows you to compare the purchasing power of money In Great Britain from 1264 to any other year, including the present, click here. To use a currency conversion to see the current value of the British pound, click here.
For information on the history of British currency, click here. To use a chart that allows you to compare the purchasing power of money In Great Britain from 1264 to any other year, including the present, click here. To use a currency conversion to see the current value of the British pound, click here.
Comments
Gardens & Park
Garden, Park, Follies and Outbuildings
The famous Bear Gates were last closed in 1745 by the Jacobite army as they marched south to England. Tradition says the gates will not be opened again until a Stuart sits on the throne of Scotland.
Chapel & Church
Movies
Location for Movies / TV
"Country House Rescue" (2008 - TV documentary, episode 1.3, "Chesters," visiting the brewery).
Bibliography
| Author | Colvin, Howard |
| Year Published | 1995 |
| Reference | pg. 896 |
| Author | Cruft, Kitty; Dunbar, John; Fawcett, Richard; et al |
| Year Published | 2006 |
| Reference |
Related Resources
There are no documents associated with this house.
