House of the Binns
The House of the Binns, or simply the Binns, is a historic house in West Lothian, Scotland, the seat of the Dalyell family (pronounced dee el). It dates from the early 17th century, and was the home of Tam Dalyell until his death in January 2017.
The estate spreads over two hills (bens in Gaelic) from which its name is derived, i.e. it is named "the house of the hills".[1] It is set in 200 acres (80 hectares) of parkland, and the house enjoys panoramic views of central Scotland: to the north, across the River Forth to the Highlands, and south over the Pentland Hills.[2] The house contains a collection of porcelain, furniture, and portraits which trace the family's lives and interests through the centuries.[3]
History of the estate
Perhaps inhabited since prehistoric times, Binns Hill may have been the site of a Pictish fort.
Written records begin in 1335, and record a land of the "Bynnis". There was certainly a manor house here by 1478, when records indicate the owner was an Archibald Meldrum, son of the late James Meldrum of the Bynnis. In 1599, it was owned by James Lord Lyndsay, who sold it to Sir William Livingston of Kilsyth.[4]
In 1612 the estate was purchased by a wealthy and well-connected Edinburgh burgess, Thomas Dalyell. Dalyell was a butter merchant, who had become prosperous importing butter from
Today the house principally reflects its extensions of the mid-18th and early 19th century.
In 1944, the house, its parkland, its contents, and an endowment for its upkeep were given to the National Trust for Scotland by Eleanor Dalyell. The charter she granted states that the "history, legend and memory of the family of Dalyell of the Binns, shall be preserved ..." for the benefit and enjoyment of the nation.[4] However, the right of the family to reside in the house was retained.[2] The former MP for Linlithgow and "Father of the House", Sir Tam Dalyell (1932–2017), lived in the western range of the house. His widow, Kathleen, is the National Trust's representative for the House of the Binns and heavily involved in its maintenance.[8]
General Tam o' the Binns
The house's main historic claim to fame is the occupancy of General Sir Tam Dalyell (1615–1685). Dalyell served as a military commander for both
The parkland
The house is set in 200 acres (0.81 km2) of parkland, and approached by two drives: the current west drive, and main east drive that has been disused since 1913. The category "B" listed folly Binns Tower is situated at the highest point of the park, Binns Hill. It was designed by Alexander Allan in 1826, allegedly as the result of a wager placed with the then owner, Sir James Dalyell.[4] On the west side of Binns Hill is a woodland garden with walks through it to the tower. Beneath the escarpment to the south-west of the Tower is General Tam's cave, supposedly used by him for meditation.
In addition to the folly, the park contains a number of other important features. Off the west drive is a derelict stables complex (built before 1818) and a walled garden.[14][15] The walled garden, constructed at an unknown date, served as a kitchen garden until World War II. It was used previous by a contractor as a tree and shrub nursery, although part was also used to provide flowers for the house. Towards the west drive is the remains of an old quarry (believed to be pre 19th century).[16] Also near the west drive is the Sergeant's Pond, which was constructed circa 1681 as a watering place for the horses of the Royal Scots Greys by General Dalyell.[17] The pond was also used again as a watering place for the Royal Scots Greys regiment in 1935 when they were encamped at the Binns.[17]
In a valley in the south-east corner of the park lies a ruined former mid-19th century chapel that eventually became a farmers cottage.[18] A caravan park was established in 1978 in the valley beside the Errick burn and a small woodland area.[4] The caravan park has since closed.
See also
References
- ^ a b "House of the Binns". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ a b "House Of The Binns". National Trust for Scotland website. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ National Trust for Scotland, A Guide to Properties, 2007
- ^ a b c d Historic Environment Scotland. "House of the Binns (GDL00216)". Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b c Hull, Gillian. "A Short Break at House of the Binns". Comment Online: The newsmagazine of Highland Perthshire. Retrieved 9 November 2007.
- ISBN 0-00-653191-1.
- ^ "House of the Binns". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ Alistair, Gray (15 July 2006). "A gardening job to grow into". Edinburgh Evening News. Scotsman.com. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
- ^ "House of the Binns". VisitScotland.com website. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ "House of the Binns (Review of Attraction 2001)". scotlandforvisitors.com. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ Colin McWilliam, "The Buildings of Scotland: Lothian except Edinburgh" (Penguin Books, 1978), p. 102.
- ^ Wright, Ken. "The Binns". bo-ness.org.uk. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- Visit Scotland. Archived from the originalon 29 July 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "House Of The Binns, Cottages And Stable Buildings (195752)". Canmore. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "House Of The Binns, Walled Garden (213991)". Canmore. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "House Of The Binns, West Park Quarry (320778)". Canmore. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ a b Historic Environment Scotland. "House Of The Binns, Sergeant's Pond (320775)". Canmore. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "House Of The Binns, Paddy's Cottage (320795)". Canmore. Retrieved 20 March 2022.