Traquair House- Scotland's oldest house

This afternoon I finally got around to visiting Traquair House, prompted by the promise of a series of art installations and exhibition.

It has a very special place in Scotland's history for it has been lived in since the twelfth century making it the oldest inhabited house in Scotland.

Finding it proved a challenge for my sat nav for it's buried deep in the Borders countryside.

As it turned out the installations were so discreet and subtle that I had to consult a map and a volunteer guide in order to find them.

My companion, "M", less interested in contemporary art, failed to notice any.

Anyway it would be difficult for any contemporary artist to come up with artefacts to rival the authentic history of this remarkable house and its spectacular setting.

Today it is a living museum belonging to the Maxwell Stuart family who move out during the season.

The name Traquair comes from "tret" or "tre', a word of Celtic origin meaning a dwelling or hamlet and "quair"meaning a stream with a winding course.

A long line of Scottish kings as a base from which they could establish their authority over the surrounding countryside and, of course, Mary Queen of Scots slept there.
(Some cynics would say she slept in more places in Scotland than there were days of her life.)


Unfortunately photography inside is forbidden since they had a clock stolen a couple of years ago.

More photos in blipfolio Traquair House.