Exhibition hails family dynasty

With their wealth, influence and political power, they were 17th- century Scotland’s equivalent of America’s Kennedy family.

Now an exhibition at the Scottish Nat ional Por trait Gal ler y in Edinburgh is set to pay homage to the Tweeddales.

Headed by John Hay, the Hays of Tweeddale were at the heart of Scottish society in the second half of the 17th century.

Historians say members of the dynasty held distinguished political and military posts, they married into the most noble families in Scotland and England and they were enthusiastic patrons of the arts.

Christopher Baker, director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, said: “The Hays of Tweeddale were hugely powerful and influential.

“They had huge estates, there was a political astuteness about them and they did marry well into other very distinguished families.

“Saying they were l ike the Kennedys is a good comparison as there would have been many people fascinated by the ups and downs of their fortunes.

“Their story is often told purely in political terms or in terms of them being great landowners but there was a lot more to them. They spent large amounts of money on interior decoration, garden and landscape design.

“They used art and architecture not only for aesthetic purposes but to demonstrate to those around them their wealth, status and power.

“At the heart of our exhibition is a very rich and unusual portrait of this remarkable family.

“It was painted in 1695 by Sir John Baptiste de Medina.

“I hope people will come and learn more about this fascinating family.” The exhibition starts on April 23. www.nationalgalleries.org