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Places to Visit in
the Borders
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Mellerstain House
Mellerstain House
Gordon
(A6089 Kelso-Gordon Road)
Scottish Borders
Tel: 01573 410225
12.30pm - 5pm (House)
11.30am - 5.30pm (Gardens & Tea room)
Superb Georgian house, designed by William
and Robert Adam, exquisite plaster ceilings, beautiful interior decoration,
fine period furniture, marvellous art collection. The library is reputed to
be Robert Adam’s finest creation. Open Easter 4 days, the 1st May – 30th
September 12:30pm to 5pm daily (except Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays). Tea
room, gift shop, groups by arrangement.
The Italian-styled terraced garden was laid out in 1909 by Sir Reginald
Blomfield and commands a glorious view overlooking the lake to the Cheviot
Hills in the distance
Facilities
Historic House, Gardens, Wheelchair Access, Tea Room, Car Park,
Private Group Tours Available, School Tours Available, Dogs on
Leads Allowed in Garden
Additional Services
WEDDINGS
For those of you who are searching for the perfect romantic
wedding venue, we may be able to help. Mellerstain can provide the
backdrop to your big day and offers the chance to stay in our
exclusive bridal suites, to entertain in our splendid state rooms
and enjoy an expertly customised marquee wedding that you and your
friends will never forget.
Admission
Adult Admission: £6.00
Child with adult Admission: £0.00
Student/Seniors: Admission: £6.00
Adult Admission (Garden Only): £3.00
Student/OAP Admission (Garden Only): £3.00
Group and school tour prices available on request
Mellerstain House, the home
of the Earl and Countess of Haddington, is famous for it’s exquisite plaster
ceilings and wonderful art collection. History of Mellerstain lands to 1691 From the close of the twelfth century, the principle Mellerstain lands
belonged to the de Haitley family. Over the succeeding four and a half
centuries, the properties changed hands numerous times among the notable Borders
families, including the Haliburtons and Napiers, until, in 1642, they were made
over by Royal Charter to George Baillie of Jerviswood, son of a prosperous
merchant burgess of Edinburgh. He lived in a tower house on the site of the
present-day mansion. The times were not propitious for building. The Civil War was in progress
when George Baillie died in 1646, and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,
Robert, who came into conflict with the authorities. In 1676 he was imprisoned
and fined £500 sterling (an immense sum in those days), for rescuing his
brother-in-law from what he thought to be an illegal arrest. It was while he was
incarcerated in the Edinburgh Tolbooth that Sir Patrick Hume, afterwards Earl of
Marchmont, wishing to communicate with him, entrusted the dangerous mission to
his eldest daughter Grisell, then a child of twelve. |
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Rome wasn't built in a day, and the same
can certainly be said of Mellerstain. Begun in 1725 and finally completed in
1778, this grand stately home has a fascinating history, and is of unique
architectural interest as the result of a fruitful collaboration of
successive generations of the Baillie and Adam families, as patrons and
architects.
Come and
discover the story of Mellerstain for a day, and enjoy the fabulous paintings,
embroidery, china and furniture collections, admire the classical perfection
of Robert Adam's architecture and interior decoration, and be inspired by the
friendly atmosphere and romantic location of one of Scotland's greatest
Georgian houses.
Robert Baillie, as a staunch Covenanter, was strongly opposed to the policy
of the Government, and in 1684 he was arrested for high treason and condemned to
death. His estate was forfeited, as was also that of Sir Patrick Hume. Sir
Patrick and his family fled to Holland and were speedily followed by young
George Baillie, penniless after his father's death. He had already met the
heroic little Grisell, and in exile the friendship ripened, although he had
nothing yet to offer her but the pay of a junior officer in the Prince of
Orange's Horse Guards. Then, in 1688, came a dramatic change of fortune. The
Prince of Orange set out on a journey which was to make him William III of
England, and Sir Patrick Hume and George Baillie sailed with him. Both their
estates were restored and in September 1691 Grisell Hume became Grisell
Baillie.
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