Vocational Visit

On Thursday 16th May, the Rotary Club of South Queensferry paid a visit to Hopetoun House as guests of Piers De Salis, General Manager. As the Rotarians arrived, preparations were underway in the grounds for the two-day FLY Open Air Festival which was staged over the weekend. The Rotary Club has a long-standing association with Hopetoun, having stewarded at events such as the Horse Trials, the November Fireworks and the Christmas Fair. In recent years the club organised a Classic and Vintage Car Show in Hopetoun's magnificent grounds. In an interesting and informative tour, Piers De Salis explained the differences in style between the original Bruce design and the later redesign by Adam which transformed a substantial mansion into a magnificent Palladian house - one of Scotland's finest stately homes.

President Sandy Mackenzie thanked Mr De Salis for his tour which revealed many less-well-known aspects of Hopetoun's contents and history as well as the challenges faced when running a modern stately home. He hoped the club would continue its relationship with Hopetoun.