Traquair House

The origins of Traquair House date back to 1107, when it served as a royal hunting lodge and was visited by King Alexander I. Later, it became the preferred residence of William I, who signed important charters here. After several changes of ownership, the estate came into the possession of William Rogers in 1469, who later sold it to the king's uncle, Hearty James. His descendant James Stuart founded the current line of owners. Mary Queen of Scots ennobled the fourth Laird and appointed him captain of her bodyguard. She was a guest at Traquair with Lord Darnley. The family's Catholic faith after the end of the Stuart dynasty prevented extensive alterations, allowing the house to largely retain its original external form. In 1688, parts of the estate were damaged during the Glorious Revolution.

Traquair House is located in Peebles, in the Scottish Borders region of Scotland, United Kingdom. It stands at an elevation of approximately 141 meters above sea level.

Today, Traquair House remains in private ownership. It is a living monument to Scottish history and houses a wealth of Stuart memorabilia, including personal items belonging to Mary Queen of Scots. The estate is accessible to visitors and offers insights into past eras. A unique feature is the so-called Bear Gates, which have been locked since 1745 and, according to legend, will only be reopened when a Stuart king ascends the throne in London.

• Neidpath Castle (ruin), approx. 10.7 km away
• Thirlestane Castle (castle), approx. 23.8 km away
• Smailholm Tower (castle), approx. 30.7 km away
• Mellerstain House (mansion and estate), approx. 31.9 km away