Photo: Gosford House by Magnus Hagdorn, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About this place
Robert Adam was still refining his designs for Gosford House when he died in 1792, leaving one of his last great commissions unfinished.
The neoclassical mansion stands in 5,000 acres of parkland and coastline near Longniddry in East Lothian, looking out across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh.
Its wings were demolished generations later and rebuilt by architect William Young, completed in 1891, a century after the first stone was laid.
The house is privately owned and open for pre-booked tours and events rather than general public access.
Read more on WikipediaHistory
The house passed to the Charteris family, Earls of Wemyss and March, on completion of its interior in 1808, and has remained their seat ever since. Gosford suffered damage when the British army requisitioned it during the Second World War. David Charteris, 12th Earl of Wemyss, lived at Gosford until his death in 2008.
Architecture
Robert Adam's neoclassical design was completed after his death, with the shell finished in 1800 and the interiors in 1808. The original wings were later demolished and reconstructed by architect William Young, work finished in 1891. The house, stables and mausoleum are all Category A listed.
Worth knowing
Gosford has become a regular filming and photoshoot location and a favoured venue for weddings and corporate events, trading on its marble hall and gallery interiors.
Gardens & grounds
The grounds, which run to 5,000 acres of parkland and coast on the Firth of Forth, are included in Scotland's Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes.
Plan your visit
Nearest station: Longniddry Rail Station (1.5 miles)
House opens for public guided tours on select days; check official website for dates and times.
Nearby properties
Greywalls Hotel
View Greywalls Hotel on heritage mapDirleton Castle
View Dirleton Castle on heritage mapLennoxlove
View Lennoxlove on heritage mapInveresk Lodge Garden
View Inveresk Lodge Garden on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Gosford House there are 4 historic properties, including 1 church, 1 archaeological site and 1 historic site, across Historic Environment Scotland and Historic Houses sites.
Within 10 miles of Gosford House there are 18 historic properties, including 5 historic houses, 3 churchs and 3 historic buildings, across Historic Environment Scotland, Historic Houses and National Trust for Scotland sites.
Within 20 miles of Gosford House there are 43 historic properties, including 10 historic houses, 9 castles and 8 historic sites, across Historic Environment Scotland, Historic Houses and National Trust for Scotland sites.
Facts
One of Robert Adam's last commissions, finished by another architect a century after the first stone was laid.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- East Lothian, Scotland
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