Traquair And The Bear Gates

It was some years after seeing the L.S.Lowry picture of the Bear Gates (unusual as he did not paint many Scottish pictures) that I saw them for myself. Of course, I knew about Traquair House and had visited it once or twice but only came upon the gates by accident after visiting nearby Kailzie Gardens. Since joining Blip we have passed once or twice when the light has been too poor for photography. Today, however, the light was good. (See detail in large)

The gates (locally known as The Steekit Yetts) were built in 1738 at the head of an avenue of Sycamore trees leading from the house to the Peebles road, commissioned, it is thought, by the son of the 4th Earl of Traquair. The cost of gateway was £12. 15s for the building, £10. 4s for the carving of the bears - and 4 gallons of ale for the workmen who erected them.

The family were confirmed Jacobite supporters and legend has it that the 5th Earl closed the gates one day in 1745 after wishing Prince Charles Edward Stuart a safe journey following his visit, with a promise that they would not be opened until the Stuarts were restored to the throne. Another suggestion is that the 7th Earl closed the gates in 1796, after the death of his Countess. Whatever is the true explanation, the gates remain closed.