DAY OUT: Traquair House, Scottish Borders
Festive fairytale house
Wander rooms sumptuously decorated for the season and visit Santa’s luxurious grotto in this beautiful former royal hunting lodge, says Fergal MacErlean
Drink in the sights and sounds of a traditional Christmas fair at Scotland’s oldest inhabited residence.
Originally a hunting lodge for Scotland’s kings and queens, magnificent Traquair House – whose main building dates from the 16th century – seems plucked from a fairytale, especially when covered in a dusting of snow.
On offer at the house’s two-day Christmas opening are stalls and craft workshops, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, Santa in a luxurious grotto, music and puppet shows. Among this year’s stallholders are local producers selling herbs grown in Peebles, handmade cashmere knitwear and craft gins infused with gorse flowers.
You can also explore the grounds on Lady Louisa’s Walk, which leads by Quair Water and on to the River Tweed.
About the market: Traquair House, 26–27 November. traquair.co.uk
Fergal MacErlean is an outdoors writer who loves exploring Scotland on foot.