Bowhill House & Country Estate

The Scottish Borders home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry, Bowhill House and Country Estate sits in the wonderfully scenic Yarrow and Ettrik Valleys. This 19th century house (named checked by frequent visitor Sir Walter Scott in his poem Lay of the Last Minstrel) is home to paintings by Canaletto, Raeburn, Reynolds and Gainsborough which are complemented by amazing tapestries, French furniture, china and porcelain from the likes of Sevres and Meissen. Historic relics include Monmouth´s saddle and execution shirt, Sir Walter Scott´s plaid and some proof editions and Queen Victoria´s letters and gifts to successive Duchesses of Buccleuch, her Mistresses of the Robes. When you are done gazing in awe at the fabulousness of the house, take a trip around the equally impressive gardens, a lovely mix of formal and informal which include two lochs man-made to suit the grounds (now that's impressive). The house is open every day in July and by appointment at other times of year.