Arniston House
Arniston House
4.5
About
Arniston Estate has been home to the Dundas family for more than four centuries and today is a working estate featuring a range of farming operations, forestry, fishing and visitor attraction activities. Arniston House is a magnificent Palladian style William Adam mansion house commissioned in 1724 by Robert Dundas. Arniston House welcomes hundreds of guests every year for guided tours, community events, weddings, corporate functions and more. With four charming holiday cottages available guests can enjoy 3 and 4 star accommodation in an idylic, peaceful countryside setting that is a mere 11 miles from Edinburgh. The perfect combination of country and city experiences. Nestled in the heart of Midlothian, Arniston House is 2 miles from rail and bus stops and a short 30 minute drive from city centre. It is a wonderful setting for weddings, company and corporate events. A day at Arniston is always a day well spent.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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4.5
30 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
mec
Nassau, NY49 contributions
Jun 2023
Clean and modern. There was a washing machine and drying rack. The fireplace added a nice touch. Firewood was provided.
Written 12 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex Ran Chen
Edinburgh, UK9 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
Definitely a hidden gem in Scotland! This beautiful neoclassical country house is the work of William Adam and John Adam who are the father and brother of famous Robert Adam. The sunken garden is also breathtaking. A lot of history can be felt during the visit. Unlike other country houses whose guided tour is led by volunteers or house staff, I was welcomed by the house owner Lady Althea and her daughter Hennie. Both them are friendly and passionate about their lovely home. A very pleasant and impressive experience!
Written 4 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randall
Atlanta, GA1 contribution
Aug 2022
This is the most genuine tour of a grand estate home you will ever receive, given by the nicest most practical Gentry imaginable. The tour is given by the “Lady” of the house and her daughter. Most other estate tours are given by lovely National Historic Trust volunteers or employees, but this is given with pride in a very unassuming way by the family who are restoring this home. You will feel as if you are being welcomed into a friend or family member’s home and they are proud to show you the work they are doing and tell you family history. The home’s design has architectural significance, and the collection of furniture and paintings are icing on the cake. You will leave with a warm heart and a history lesson.
Written 1 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen P
Bruges, Belgium27 contributions
Aug 2022
We have just visited the house and estate after living in Gorebridge for 7 years.
It was truly delightful to be taken round by the family members ( not just a guide) which allowed us to feel more part of how the house has evolved throughout history and their continuing care and love for it. The stories of family life made it all so much more ‘real’.thank to you both.
It was truly delightful to be taken round by the family members ( not just a guide) which allowed us to feel more part of how the house has evolved throughout history and their continuing care and love for it. The stories of family life made it all so much more ‘real’.thank to you both.
Written 28 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK141 contributions
Jul 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Arniston which has more paintings by the superb Scottish artists Raeburn and Romsey than the National gallery of Scotland.
An additional bonus was being shown round a major part of the house by the current owner and member of the family who built the house..Mrs Becker-Dundas.She is an engaging,humourous lady of(she told us) 83 who is steeped in the history of her wonderful home.
The Dundas family were the premier legal family and Lord Presidents of the Council of Scotland for generations and lived in style within reach of the Capital.
The promised 90 minute tour lasted for over two hours and was totally absorbing.There were five in our group and there deserved to be many more.
The library itself is worth the entrance fee but there is so much more to see and I higjly recommend a visit.
An additional bonus was being shown round a major part of the house by the current owner and member of the family who built the house..Mrs Becker-Dundas.She is an engaging,humourous lady of(she told us) 83 who is steeped in the history of her wonderful home.
The Dundas family were the premier legal family and Lord Presidents of the Council of Scotland for generations and lived in style within reach of the Capital.
The promised 90 minute tour lasted for over two hours and was totally absorbing.There were five in our group and there deserved to be many more.
The library itself is worth the entrance fee but there is so much more to see and I higjly recommend a visit.
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
enessde
Edinburgh39 contributions
Jul 2022
It was a treat to be shown around Arniston House by knowledgeable members of the Dundas family who know and love the house and who have played a major part in its renovation and maintainance. It was great to learn about the fascinating history of the house and the significant roles that the Dundas ancestors have played in scottish history.
In addition to the tour of the house we explored the grounds. We found the sunken garden and a fascinating grotto with an inscription dated 1644. You can find the grotto at what three words location 'cobbled.emblem.grumbles'
Overall it was a great visit and is highly recommended
In addition to the tour of the house we explored the grounds. We found the sunken garden and a fascinating grotto with an inscription dated 1644. You can find the grotto at what three words location 'cobbled.emblem.grumbles'
Overall it was a great visit and is highly recommended
Written 23 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AntheaJG
Edinburgh, UK202 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
What a privilege to visit such a lovely house. We were lucky to go on a tour last Tuesday at 2.00pm and were shown round by the owner Althea Dundas and her daughter Henrietta. They had such a wealth of knowledge about their home with lots of stories and anecdotes woven around the history of the house. My favourite room was the refurbished drawing room with beautiful Chinese wallpaper but all of the rooms had a charm especially the library and the old nursery on the top floor. Well worth a visit.
Written 29 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HappyTravla
Lanark, UK7 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
Worked in tourism most of my adult life, here in Scotland and also Myanmar, Tanzania, Canada, Turkey to name a few places, yet it was here in Scotland I encountered one of the most awful individuals. Aggressive, confrontational and just down right rude.
Accused of parking when actually we were agreeing to move on because there were no parking signs. Engine was still running, hand brake was off, there was no cars parking.
There was no courtesy, there was no polite conversation, it was aggressive and arrogant. Where was the common decency? Being polite costs nothing, being rude like this, for me, as someone who has employed within tourism, would be a disciplinary situation. You do not act like that towards the public, it is uncalled for, it is rude, unwelcoming and shows the establishment in a very poor light.
I would not now recommend a visit to this place.
Accused of parking when actually we were agreeing to move on because there were no parking signs. Engine was still running, hand brake was off, there was no cars parking.
There was no courtesy, there was no polite conversation, it was aggressive and arrogant. Where was the common decency? Being polite costs nothing, being rude like this, for me, as someone who has employed within tourism, would be a disciplinary situation. You do not act like that towards the public, it is uncalled for, it is rude, unwelcoming and shows the establishment in a very poor light.
I would not now recommend a visit to this place.
Written 17 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah M
Edinburgh, UK48 contributions
Aug 2020
Yesterday (9 Aug) we spent a fantastic couple of hours at Arniston House near Gorebridge. It takes about 40 minutes to drive from Edinburgh city centre to Arniston House.
The tour has had to be shortened due to Covid and takes in the ground floor of the property only. This did not detract from the tour at all as there is so much history packed into each room. We had an 'intake of breath' at the beautifully restored John Adam drawing room, a must see. The tour was led jointly by the present owner, Althea Dundas-Bekker and her daughter Henrietta, both lovely, friendly ladies. Their knowledge, of their home and its history is phenomenal. Ohhh for a look at the family archives which are full of historical letters/documents and invoices etc. We will definitely go back once normality returns to see the rest of the house.
They opened their doors again on 15th July and can accommodate a maximum of 6 visitors per tour. Sanitiser is available in the front porch and you will be asked to use it before you enter. As the wearing of face masks is mandatory in Scotland for all indoor attractions - make sure you bring one. The grounds are beautiful, peaceful and really calming and we were lucky that the weather was bright and warm, so once the tour had finished, we headed off for a wander.
If you plan to travel to the Scottish Borders or to visit Rosslyn Chapel then this would be a great addition to add to your list of places to visit.
For further details you should visit their website and book a tour. We felt it was exceptionally good value for money and can’t recommend it highly enough.
The tour has had to be shortened due to Covid and takes in the ground floor of the property only. This did not detract from the tour at all as there is so much history packed into each room. We had an 'intake of breath' at the beautifully restored John Adam drawing room, a must see. The tour was led jointly by the present owner, Althea Dundas-Bekker and her daughter Henrietta, both lovely, friendly ladies. Their knowledge, of their home and its history is phenomenal. Ohhh for a look at the family archives which are full of historical letters/documents and invoices etc. We will definitely go back once normality returns to see the rest of the house.
They opened their doors again on 15th July and can accommodate a maximum of 6 visitors per tour. Sanitiser is available in the front porch and you will be asked to use it before you enter. As the wearing of face masks is mandatory in Scotland for all indoor attractions - make sure you bring one. The grounds are beautiful, peaceful and really calming and we were lucky that the weather was bright and warm, so once the tour had finished, we headed off for a wander.
If you plan to travel to the Scottish Borders or to visit Rosslyn Chapel then this would be a great addition to add to your list of places to visit.
For further details you should visit their website and book a tour. We felt it was exceptionally good value for money and can’t recommend it highly enough.
Written 10 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kiwiscot
Edinburgh EH16 6yr13 contributions
Nov 2019
when the virus finally exhausts itself and the danger is over lets do something good for the country. spend more holidays in Scotland, buy local meals and meat and veggies,,with that support local businesses. these businesses are going to find it difficult to get back on their feet and survive without our help, our products are some of the best in the world. our country is one of the most beautiful. arniston house has superb holiday cottages with log fires and all mod cons, a big plus is the owners who make your stay a fantastic one, an area steeped in history with lots of great walks, I highly recommend holidaying here john jones edinburgh
Written 24 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gemmajack566
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK39 contributions
Please could anyone tell me if the cottages are dog friendly
Thanns
Arniston Estate
Gorebridge, UK
Hello, I am so sorry for the delay in responding there were a few issues with duplicate listings. I can confirm that yes they are absolutely dog friendly. We do hope you'll visit us this year and bring along your dog!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Arniston House
- Arniston House is open:
- Tue - Wed 12:00 - 17:00