Monday, 8 September 2014

The Grand House - Part 1





Driving along this coastal road in East Lothian, it's impossible to tell what lies behind the old wall
shielding stunted wind blasted trees.







The gate house  -  today is open day so we are invited to drive through the front gates!




This part neoclassical, part Victorian mansion, set in mature woodlands is privately owned and is open
for only a few days every year. However by purchasing a permit, anyone can walk around the estate lakes
and woodland throughout the year.




In past times formal flower gardens in front of the house were accessed via the terrace.




The building was originally designed by Robert Adam and built around 1800.
Decorative lions,swans,urns and sphinxes are in evidence everywhere.








This bored looking lion is one of a pair guarding gates to the main entrance below.




The principal entrance

Sorry I can't show the interior and large collections of paintings.
As is so often the case, no photography is allowed indoors.




On the other side,the original main entrance where guests would have alighted from carriages.




Directly above, a swan stands on a crown, supported by lions and flanked by two sphinxes.








Sphinx  -  half woman and half lion.



The woodlands contain a variety of trees, both old and young.




Forestry vehicles lurk in the woods like something from the film Avatar.






Next post  -  the stables and lily pond  ...........




Shared with           Our world Tuesday        Skywatch Friday        

30 comments:

Sally Tharpe Rowles said...

Wow what a great visit...wish we could have peeked inside but just seeing the grounds is amazing.thanks for the tour. Great photos too!

Ileana said...

Thanks for a great visit! :)

Sylvia K said...

Superb captures and a great visit!! Thanks for sharing!!

carol l mckenna said...

Divine photography of a very elegant place for OWT ~ Such history there ~ Glad the gate was opened!

artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

Fun60 said...

Most buildings of that size seem to be owned by the National Trust these days as the upkeep must be phenomenal.

Anonymous said...

Wow - what stunning scenery and a lovely house.

biebkriebels said...

What an impressive building it is with so much details. Great to see the photos.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

What a beautiful place. And your photos are absolutely gorgeous.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tomoko said...

You had a great visit, Ruby.
I remember that the historical buildings you introduce us are always grand! It must be a perfect garden to walk there!

Happy days!

Midori said...

Thank you for sharing. It's a lovely place! : )

Tammie Lee said...

such a beautiful area, estate, details, photos and more. thank you for sharing your time there.

Pondside said...

You are so fortunate to have such beautiful places maintained, whether privately or by a trust. Over here we seem ready to bulldoze everything and then build fake castles and chateaux.

Hannah said...

What elegant photos, it would be fun to take a tour of the inside. It makes me think of Downton Abbey, and imagine the situations that might have occurred there. The bored lion guard is so funny! Thanks for the tour.

Breathtaking said...

Lovely photos! The house is grand and impressive, as these large estates usually are, and I think it's beautiful and well proportioned.I would love to look inside, but just walking in the grounds would be delightful.
Best Regards.

The Furry Gnome said...

Always love visiting Scotland. And I love that old tree! A lot of people around the world are probably watching what's happening in Scotland these days!

TexWisGirl said...

what an amazing place! loved the statues, too!

Thomas Lee said...

Such a majestic mansion.

HansHB said...

Wonderful SWF post!

Unknown said...

Great pics and post...

Rajesh said...

Fantastic mansions. I would love to stay there.

Jen said...

At least one of those lions is eyeing a swan with great interest.

A Colorful World said...

This estate is thrilling to see! Oh MY! I love everything about it...the gardens and the house itself. Wish we could see the inside. It's just stunning. I especially love the bored lion. That's cute.

sarah said...

Very beautiful place and the magnificent mansion. Scotland has many great legacy that I always watch in your pictures. And it remembered me the TV news about voting of independence.
Have a nice weekend!

Gosia said...

Wow, amazing palace. What a landscape. Love.

Magia da Inês said...

·..✿✿。°
Fotografias fantásticas!!!
Preciosos detalhes da arquitetura e das esculturas.

Ótimo sábado!!!
Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.·..✿彡
°。✿⊱。。

Katarina said...

What an impressive mansion! I would love to walk around there!

ruma said...

Hello, Forest Dream Weaver.

Great photographing. Design, composition and ideas. Very sweet atmosphere.

Greetings and hugs.

Have a good weekend. From Japan, ruma❃

stardust said...

Dear Ruby - The building is so magnificent, and beautiful, too. It’s nice to know it is privately owned and must have been kept maintenance. The idea of a pair of stone guardian lion at the gate is the same here in Japan – isn’t it interesting? I like the photo of piled-up logs the best among all your nice shots. I’m interested in the result of Scottish independence referendum.

Yoko

three sea horses said...

I too have often wondered what was behind that wall. What a great post, and photos. That is some 'house'!

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