Bowhill House and Gardens
Bowhill House and Gardens
Paintings by masters such as Canaletto, Raeburn, Reynolds and Gainsborough line the walls of Bowhill’s many fine rooms, while additional richness is provided by classic tapestries, French furniture, china and porcelain by Sevres and Meissen, along with a fine collection of silverware.
Bowhill is open daily in July and August each year during which time you can visit this remarkable “treasure” house and share its special atmosphere. Bowhill is also open by appointment outside July and August to groups of people interested to know more about what Bowhill can teach them – “let us tell you the bigger story”.
For full details of opening times to the House and Country Estate along with charges and other visitor information, please click on our admissions page.
The Upper Loch
The Upper Loch (1816), the terracing, and formal gardens above, at the front of the house are there to accentuate the buildings splendour enhancing your enjoyment of the house in its setting.
Dates of Interest
| 1708 |
Built by John Lord Bowhill whose brother, William Murray bought the ground around 1690 from the Scotts. |
| 1747 |
Bought by Francis, 2nd Duke of Buccleuch for his son Lord Charles Scott so that he could stand for Parliament in Roxburgh or Selkirk |
| 1767 |
3rd Duke Henry began planting forest in the grounds but there is no evidence that he stayed at Bowhill |
| 1800 |
4th Duke Charles use Bowhill as an occasional Summer House |
| 1812 |
Charles began remodelling Bowhill with architect William Atkinson. Now a villa with Gallery Hall and improved until 1819 when Charles dies. |
| 1819 |
5th Duke Walter Francis was in his minority. |
| 1827 |
Walter Francis came of age and embarked on heavy expenditure on Bowhill. |
| 1831 |
House design was changed moving the entrance from the southy to the north making the present Drawing Room at the old south entrance. Architects William Burn 1789-1870 and David Bryce 1803-1876 |
| 1870 |
Billiard Room Smoking Room and Chapel were added. |
| 1876 |
Building completed. Joined up with the stables and now 437ft long. |
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