3-034-573 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Hopetoun House, visited by the British Association, 1871. '...a party of about eighty visited Hopetoun House and Dalmeny Park, experiencing the hospitalities of the Earls of Hopetoun and Rosebery. This excursion seemed to be decidedly the favourite among the members of the association, as the applications for tickets were three or four times in excess of the number to which the party was limited. Starting in open conveyances from the Royal Institution shortly after eleven o'clock, the excursionists drove...to Hopetoun House...On arriving, the visitors were shown over the public rooms, and cake and wine were served in the dining-room. A brief walk over the gardens and policies was all that time allowed, and with three cheers for Mr. Scott (factor to the Earl of Hopetoun), who entertained the company in the absence of the owner of the mansion, the "flying squadron" took its departure...Hopetoun House...is a building of great splendour. It is situated three miles west from Queens-ferry and twelve from Edinburgh. A beautiful lawn surrounds the mansion, and charmingly-secluded walks intersect the plantations. An extensive prospect is commanded from the high terrace walk and other parts of the grounds'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.