Edinburgh Has Its Own Darcy Estate 🏰

✅I picked a lovely day to visit Hopetoun House, which I had been wanting to see for ages. I had passed by it on a hike before, but it wasn't open at the time. This is the ancestral home of the Hope family, who have been granted earldoms and marquisates. The family has produced a Governor-General of India and a Principal of the University of Edinburgh. ✅Overall, the house was built by two architects over time and has a history of over 300 years. The south wing has been modernized and is still inhabited. The fourth Marquess is still alive, and the fifth Marquess and his family live here. The north wing retains its traditional style and is open to visitors, who can go up to the second floor and the attic to overlook the entire estate and the Firth of Forth. ✅Fun Fact: There are guides in each room who share interesting stories. One amusing anecdote is about a previous Earl who wanted to renovate the dining room to entertain royalty. Unfortunately, when King George IV visited, he only hurriedly drank three glasses of wine and left. ✅Chinese Elements: It’s worth noting that Westerners truly appreciate Chinese art. I saw many Chinese-style porcelain pieces and a tapestry woven with silk threads featuring a design of a fierce tiger and bamboo leaves. ✅Gardens: Behind the estate lies a vast garden where you can see deer, sheep, and various birds. Looking north, you can spot shipyards from WWI and WWII, from where the British Navy once assembled and set sail. To the west, you can see Blackness Castle. ✅Tickets: You can book online. Young Scot members can get in for just £1, and you can also buy tickets on-site. ✅Transport: Getting there is a bit of a challenge and is best suited for those who enjoy walking. From Edinburgh, take bus number 43 to Walker Drive or Queensferry Police Station. It’s about a 45-minute walk from there, heading straight towards the sea. The route is scenic, but it’s quite strenuous if you’re not in good physical shape. #Edinburgh #NearEdinburgh #EdinburghHiking #HikingBuddy #UniversityOfEdinburgh #India #ChineseInfluence #Photography #Pemberley #HowardsEnd #Nottingham #Leeds #CulturalSites #TravelSnippets #NaturalScenery #Travel #TravelDiary #BeautifulScenery #SceneryFromTheTent #Munich