Hopetoun House

Hopetoun House is a Category A listed historic house in West Lothian, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Hopetoun House

Sir William Bruce began Hopetoun House in 1699 for the Hope family on the shores of the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry, West Lothian.

William Adam later enlarged it from 1721, adding the grand façade, colonnades and State apartments that gave the house two distinct architectural characters under one roof.

It remains the seat of the Marquesses of Linlithgow, descendants of the Earls of Hopetoun who built it.

The parkland surrounding the house offers woodland walks and views across the Forth.

History of Hopetoun House

Ownership has stayed with the same family line since Bruce laid the first stone, passing from the Earls of Hopetoun to their descendants the Marquesses of Linlithgow. In 1974 the family established the Hopetoun House Preservation Trust, a charity that now looks after the building, its collections and the grounds on behalf of the public.

Architecture of Hopetoun House

Bruce's original block, built from 1699 to 1707, is regarded as one of Scotland's finest early classical houses, noted for its carving, wainscotting and painted ceilings. William Adam's additions from 1721 brought a grander, more theatrical Palladian style, with a long façade and flanking colonnades designed for 18th-century entertaining.

Worth knowing

The interior holds a collection of paintings spanning several centuries.

Gardens & grounds at Hopetoun House

The parkland includes woodland walks and views across the Forth to the hills of Fife.

Facilities

Café Shop

Plan your visit to Hopetoun House

Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: North Queensferry Rail Station (2.9 miles)

Open Easter to late September seasonally for visitor experience; check official website for exact dates.

Admission

Free entry to Historic Houses members (show valid membership card)

Is this your property? Update this listing for free

Places to visit near Hopetoun House

Blackness Castle

castle 2.2 miles

Visit Blackness Castle View Blackness Castle on heritage map

Dundas Castle

historic house 2.3 miles

Visit Dundas Castle View Dundas Castle on heritage map

House of the Binns

historic building 2.4 miles

View House of the Binns on heritage map

Newliston

historic house 3.7 miles

Visit Newliston View Newliston on heritage map

Dunfermline Palace

castle 5.1 miles

View Dunfermline Palace on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Hopetoun House there are 4 historic properties, including 2 historic houses, across Historic Houses, Historic Environment Scotland and National Trust for Scotland sites.

2 Historic Houses

1 Historic Environment Scotland

1 National Trust for Scotland

2 Historic house

1 Historic building

1 Castle

See these 4 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Hopetoun House there are 19 historic properties, including 4 historic houses, 4 castles and 3 abbeys, across Historic Environment Scotland, Historic Houses and National Trust for Scotland sites.

13 Historic Environment Scotland

3 Historic Houses

3 National Trust for Scotland

4 Historic house

4 Castle

3 Abbey

3 Historic building

3 Historic site

1 Archaeological site

1 Church

See these 19 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Hopetoun House there are 55 historic properties, including 13 castles, 12 historic buildings and 9 historic houses, across Historic Environment Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and Historic Houses sites.

38 Historic Environment Scotland

10 National Trust for Scotland

7 Historic Houses

13 Castle

12 Historic building

9 Historic house

7 Historic site

5 Archaeological site

4 Abbey

3 Church

1 Garden

1 Tower