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Historic Houses in Scotland (A-B)

Abbotsford House    This was the home of Sir Walter Scott. He tore down a farmhouse on the site and built the house in 1822 in the medieval style. A wing was added during the 1850's after his death. In the house is an important collection of armour, a library of books and a collection of curiosities, including a glass of Robert Burns, Rob Roy souvenirs and a desk from George IV. The entrance hall is decorated with richly carved wooden panelling from Dunfermline Abbey Church. Melrose, Borders, Scotland, TD6 9BQ Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 2 m SE Galashiels, near Melrose, off A72/A6091 on B6360 by the River Tweed Email: sirwalterscottabbotsford@btinternet.com Phone: 01896 752 043 Fax: 01896 752 916 Historic Houses Association Location map OS NT508342 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Alloa Tower    Restoration of 1497 (modified in 18th century) ancestral home of Earls of Mar and Kellie. One of the largest surviving medieval tower houses. Original oak beams, vaulting, pit dungeon and well. Collection of paintings. Alloa Park, Alloa, Central Scotland, Scotland, PA41 7AD Attraction Type: Historic House Location: on A907 Website: Alloa Tower Phone: 0844 4932 129 Fax: 0844 4932 131 National Trust for Scotland Location map OS NR643 479 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Argyll’s Lodging    Town residence of Earls of Argyll. Most complete example of 17th century town home in Scotland, restored and furnished. Hall, dining room, drawing room, bedroom with hangings. Castle Wynd, Stirling, Central Scotland, Scotland, FK8 1EG Attraction Type: Historic House Location: on E side of Castle Wynd in Stirling Website: Argyll’s Lodging Phone: 01786 450 000 Historic Scotland Location map OS NS772 938 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Arniston House    Family seat of the Dundas family. Elegant Palladian mansion built in 1726 by architect William Adam and continued by his son John. Decorative stuccowork. Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland, EH23 4RY Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 7 m (11.3 km) SE Edinburgh, on B6372 Website: Arniston House Email: arnistonhouse@btconnect.com Phone: 01875 830 515 Fax: 01875 830 515 Historic Houses Association Location map OS NT330595 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Ayton Castle    A red sandstone Victorian castle built in 1846. Eyemouth, Borders, Scotland, TD14 5RD Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 1.5 m (2.4 km) SE Eyemouth, on B6355 Phone: 018907 81212 Fax: 018907 81550 Location map OS NT929615 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Balcaskie House    A 16th century tower house purchased by William Bruce, one of Scotland's leading architects. He laid out the formal terraced gardens and extended the tower house into a mansion. Dining room has beautiful frescoes and portraits. Pittenweem, Central Scotland, Scotland Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 1 m (1.6 km) NW Pittenweem OS NO527 034 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Ballindalloch Castle    Romantic castle in the heart of the whiskey country. Home of the Macpherson-Grants since 1546. Originally a tower house, added to in Victorian times. Home to Aberdeen Angus herd of cattle. Rock garden, river walks. Grantown-on-Spey, Grampian, Scotland, AB37 9AX Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 14 m (22.5 km) NE Grantown-on-Spey, on A95 Website: Ballindalloch Castle Email: enquiries@ballindallochcastle.co.uk Phone: 01807 500 205 Fax: 01807 500 210 Historic Houses Association Location map OS NJ179367 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Balmoral Castle    Scottish home of the Royal family. Mid 19th century castle built of local granite in baronial style, for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Balmoral, Ballater, Grampian, Scotland, AB35 5TB Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 8 m (13 km) SW Ballater, off A93 Website: Balmoral Castle Email: info@balmoralcastle.com Phone: 013397 42534 Fax: 013397 42034 Location map OS NO261943 Photo Credit: Barbara Ballard Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Biel    12th century tower house with 18th century additions, extended in the Gothic style in the 19th century. Terraced gardens. Stenton, Lothian, Scotland Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 4 m (6km) W Dunbar, off B6370 Historic Houses Association OS NT633 759 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Blair Castle    Set in beautiful Highland scenery, this is Scotland's most visited historic house, the home of the Atholl Highlanders, originally the only private army in Britain, now a ceremonial bodyguard. Gabled and turreted white exterior. Renovated from an earlier castle in the 18th century. Interior has plasterwork and marble chimney pieces, wood panelled entrance hall and fine carved panelled walls in the Picture Staircase. Thirty-two rooms contain furniture (five 4-poster beds), paintings, armour, china, costumes, Brussels tapestries, one of the 4 original copies of the National Covenant of 1638 and other treasures. Extensive grounds with walks, trails and deer park. 18th century walled garden. Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, Tayside, Central Scotland, Scotland, PH18 5TL Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 7 m (11.3 km) N Pitlochry, off A9 Website: Blair Castle Email: office@blair-castle.co.uk Phone: 01796 481 207 Fax: 1796 481 487 Historic Houses Association Location map OS NN866659 Photo Credit: Barbara Ballard Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Blairquhan    The turreted ashlar stone mansion, built by William Burn, is approached by a three-mile drive set with an avenue of lime trees along the River Girvan. Elegant entrance hall, picture gallery and furnishings. Walled gardens. Kirkmichael, Maybole, Strathclyde, Scotland, KA19 7LZ Attraction Type: Historic House Location: ½ m (.8 km) S Kirkmichael, off B7045, A77 Website: Blairquhan Email: enquiries@blairquhan.co.uk Phone: 01655 770 239 Fax: 1655 770 278 Historic Houses Association Location map OS NS365054 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Bowhill    Although built earlier, the house, as it stands, dates mainly from 1812 alterations. One of the best art collections of any house in Britain, including Old Master paintings. Elizabeth Montagu, one of England's greatest heiresses, lived here. There is a portrait of her by Reynolds and one of her husband by Gainsborough. The house also contains French furniture, tapestries and continental porcelain. A room is dedicated to Sir Walter Scott mementos. Country park with nature trails, Theatre in the Forest. Bowhill, Borders, Scotland, TD7 5ET Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 3 m (5 km) W Selkirk, off A708 Moffat Rd Website: Bowhill Phone: 01750 22204 Fax: 01750 22204 Historic Houses Association Location map OS NT427 280 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Braemar Castle    Home of the Farquharsons of Invercauld. L plan, brown-harled castle, built in 1628, burned and rebuilt. Round central tower and spiral staircase, barrel-vaulted ceilings, defensive curtain wall, yett (portcullis) and pit prison. Chippendale and Hepplewhite furniture, paintings. A 53 pound uncut cairngorm (semi-precious form of quartz) on display is believed to be the biggest in the world. Braemar, Grampian, Scotland, AB35 5TW Attraction Type: Historic House Location: ½ mile east of Braemar, on the A93. Probably closed to the public during 2007, see their website for current info. Website: Braemar Castle Email: office@invercauld.org Phone: 13397 41224 Fax: 013397 41252 Historic Houses Association Location map OS NO187 915 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Brodick Castle    Red sandstone castle dates from the 13th century (extended twice) and became the property of the Dukes of Hamilton in 1500's. Silver, porcelain, paintings, fan collection, gilded heraldic ceiling in the drawing room. Victorian garden and outstanding rhododendron garden. Country park. 12 High Street, Kirkudbright, Isle of Arran, Ayrshire and Arran, Strathclyde, Scotland, KA27 8HY Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off A711/A755 Website: Brodick Castle Email: brodickcastle@nts.org.uk Phone: 01770 302 202 Fax: 1770 302 312 National Trust for Scotland Location map OS NS016 379 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Brodie Castle    Originally a Z plan castle of 16th and 17th centuries, rebuilt after being burned. Contains French furniture, 18th century lacquer furniture, porcelain, timepieces and paintings (including Dutch Old Masters.) Dining room has ornate plasterwork ceiling. Woodland walk, wildlife observation hides, wild garden. Forres, Moray, Grampian, Scotland, IV36 0TE Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 4 m (6 km) W Forres, off A96 Email: brodiecastle@nts.org.uk Phone: 0844 4932156 Fax: 0844 4932157 National Trust for Scotland Location map - Photos of Brodie Castle OS NJ036 586 Photo Credit: NTS Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Broughton House    18th century townhouse, which belonged to the Murrays of Broughton and Cally. Home of the artist E.A. Hornel from 1901. The house contains a fine collection of antique furniture, an exceptional library and a notable manuscript collection. The garden is the highlight of a visit. Designed by Hormel, it backs onto the Dee estuary. It contains both Scottish and Japanese features and has been recently restored to its former fine state. High Street, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off A711/ A755 Website: Broughton House Phone: 01557 330 437 Fax: 01557 330 437 National Trust for Scotland OS NX681 511 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering