Arniston House

About this place

Arniston House is a Category A listed country house in Midlothian, Scotland, designed by William Adam and begun in 1726.

The final section was completed in 1753 by John Adam after his father's death, giving the house a building history that spans nearly three decades.

Category A is the highest tier of listed building protection in Scotland, reflecting national-level architectural and historic significance.

The Arniston estate itself has older roots than the present house.

The property is a member of Historic Houses, and access is available through that organisation.

History

The present house was designed by William Adam for Robert Dundas, with construction beginning in 1726. After William Adam's death, his son John Adam completed the final western section in 1753, giving the building a history that spans nearly three decades. The Arniston estate itself has older roots than the current house. Category A listing reflects the property's architectural and historic significance at a national level.

Architecture

The mansion is a Palladian design by William Adam, the prominent Scottish architect who worked in the early eighteenth century. It is considered a significant example of his country house work in Scotland.

Worth knowing

Guided tours at Arniston are led by members of the Dundas family themselves, which is relatively uncommon among houses of this scale and age.

Gardens & grounds

The grounds and gardens are open to visitors on public tour days and form a notable part of a visit to the estate.