Probus go Forth for Hopetoun House trip
East Kilbride Probus Club marked the end of the season with a trip to Hopetoun House.
This is one of Scotland’s finest stately homes and is an important part of European architectural heritage, situated near South Queensferry, outside Edinburgh.
It is the home of the Marquess of Linlithgow. Hopetoun is one of the most splendid examples of the work of Scottish architects Sir William Bruce and William Adam.
In 1974 Hopetoun House Preservation Trust was founded to preserve the property and grounds for the benefit of the nation.
It is open daily to the public from Easter to the end of September.
Hopetoun House lies close to the south shore of the Forth, set amid well wooded parkland. It stands on ground that is high enough to give magnificent views across to Rosyth and east towards the new Queensferry Crossing, the Forth Road Bridge and the rail bridge beyond it.
Because the ground continues to rise to the south, it is strangely retiring for a building of its size.
Hopetoun House was designed by Sir William Bruce for Charles Hope, who later became the 1st Earl of Hopetoun. Work began in 1699 and the original house was completed in 1707. The basic arrangement was a central main house flanked by two projecting wings but the 1707 house was rather smaller in scale than what was to follow. The house was finally completed in 1767.
The internal decoration of the rooms proved awesome, such as in the white satin bedroom and the Adam influence in the yellow drawing room.
A butler’s pantry contained such equipment as the knife cleaning machine and other bits and pieces.
Outside there are extensive gardens leading down to the Forth.
President, Allan Stevenson gave a vote of thanks to the guides.
On the way home members had a brief stop to view the new Queensferry Crossing under construction – and near completion.
The next club meeting will be the first of the 2017-18 season on October 4.