Hopetoun House
Photography: Ross McDowell
Hopetoun House is one of Scotland's grandest country houses, but it is not the work of a single architect. Two generations of design transformed the residence into the building we see today.
Sir William Bruce began the house in 1699, creating an elegant country residence for the Hope family. From the 1720s, William Adam enlarged it considerably, introducing a new frontage, sweeping colonnades and substantial pavilions. The work turned an already distinguished house into a major expression of eighteenth-century Scottish country-house design. Such an ambitious project required considerable wealth and made the Hope family's standing apparent to those who visited.
The house has two notably different architectural fronts. Bruce's earlier design is comparatively restrained, while Adam's later additions create a more imposing approach. Curved colonnades extend towards the pavilions, making the building appear wider. The setting, gardens and approach contribute to the impression of the whole house.
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