Bannockburn House Trust

Happy Football Bank Holiday, Scotland! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
We hope you all had a great weekend and enjoy the extra day off. Thank you to everyone who came to visit us, particularly those of you who came on a tour on Sunday after the football! ⚽

Come on, Scotland! 💪🏻 We've got McGinn!

When architectural styles meet, they create a unique character and tell a fascinating story. Come on a tour of Bannockburn House today to explore the people who lived here and the changes they made, and delve into the intrigue of the past.

House Tour times today: 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, and 15:00
Garden Tours: 11:30 and 13:30

For International Archives Week 2026, we had to share a photo of Scotland's oldest lemon! Our digital curator, Katharine Rubinneti, has written a blog post on creating Bannockburn House's digital archive. Read it via https://www.bannockburnhouse.scot/from_floor_voids_to_the_future/

What's On this Weekend? Well quite a lot actually!

🏰 This Friday: Guided History Tours at 13:30 and 14:30

👷🏻 Saturday: Conservation Tour 10:30; Guided History Tours at 12:30 and 14:00

☕️🌳 Sunday: Guided History Tours at 10:30, 12:00, 13:30 and 15:00
+ Tea & Cake available in the Dining Room, and Garden Tours at 11:30 and 13:30

Book via https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/bannockburnhouse/?full-items=yes
We can't wait to share this unique, community-owned, and internationally significant heritage site with you all!

The Doocot was constructed c.1675 by Sir Hugh Paterson, 1st Baronet of Bannockburn, and is likely on the site of an even older, beehive-shaped doocot. They were a practical estate feature and an obvious symbol of wealth on a historical estate.

Doocots/Dovecots were used to hold pigeons for meat and eggs, as well as fertiliser to be used on the gardens and grounds. It is an important part of the historical setting of Bannockburn House and we love seeing it in the fields from our gardens - which are also looking particularly beautiful!

Come and visit us to learn more about the construction work commissioned by the first Sir Hugh, how the estate has changed throughout history, and what volunteers are doing now to bring this history back to life and safeguard it for the future.

Tours every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10:30-16:00, with Garden Tours at 11:30 and 13:30 on Sundays.

How lovely to see Bannockburn House with work well and truly underway! And in the sunshine! ☀

Why not come and learn more about our conservation project on Friday 19th June? Behind the Restoration is a full day of talks, workshops and demonstrations, giving you fascinating insight into one of the country's most ambitious community-led conservation projects. Sign up via https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/bannockburnhouse/?full-items=yes
LAST CHANCE TO BOOK!

Just want to explore? We are open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for tours. Book online, but walk-ins also welcome!

Have a lovely day, from Bannockburn House Trust!

We’re delighted to share that Bannockburn House was used as a filming location for BBC's Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution. It was a pleasure to welcome the team and support the production as they explored how the explosive break-up between Britian and America reshaped both sides of the Atlantic.

From Jacobite intrigue to American Revolutionaries, Bannockburn House does seem to attract history’s most interesting house guests.

BBC Studios Lucy Worsley BBC Two

UK viewers can watch via BBC iPlayer:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0bvhjgp/lucy-worsley-investigates?seriesId=p0bvhjgp-structural-3-m002wmw6

For our US followers, look out for the series via PBS.

FINAL SPACES LEFT Behind the Restoration: Meet the Architect and Meet the Engineer, Friday 19 June

Join us for a special conservation networking day at Bannockburn House, generously funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Lottery players, and Historic Environment Scotland as part of our emergency works and conservation programme.

Behind the Restoration offers a unique opportunity to step inside one of Scotland’s most ambitious community-led conservation projects and meet the professionals helping to save Bannockburn House.

Throughout the day, guests will hear from the conservation architect, structural engineer, and other specialists involved in the project. Each will share how they have approached the challenges of working with a fragile Category A listed building, the decisions that shape emergency conservation work, and what it is like to build a career in heritage, architecture, engineering, and traditional skills.

Guests will also enjoy a guided Heritage Conservation Tour of Bannockburn House, exploring the building, its current condition, and the emergency works now underway. The tour will highlight how conservation professionals, volunteers, funders, and the wider community are working together to protect the house and bring its stories back to life.

Courtesy of Stirling City Heritage Trust, the day will also include live traditional skills demonstrations, giving guests the chance to see conservation trades in action and understand the specialist craft skills needed to care for historic buildings.

This is a rare chance to go behind the scenes, meet the people shaping the future of Bannockburn House, and discover how conservation happens in practice — from professional decision-making and structural challenges to hands-on heritage skills and community involvement.

Included in the day:
Breakfast, refreshments, lunch, professional talks, networking opportunities, traditional skills demonstrations, and a guided Heritage Conservation Tour of Bannockburn House.

Book via: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1990860981789?aff=oddtdtcreator

Home - Bannockburn House Bannockburn House - Bannockburn House - Historic 17th Century House near Stirling, Scotland -

Calling all local families, kids, and big kids! 📣 Come along for our volunteer-led community event on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June: The Woodland of Curiosity - where time has slipped and stories have tangled.

Follow the characters, solve the clues, and see if you can complete your quest to find the hidden Bonnie Prince. Along the trail, families will discover curious characters, woodland riddles, themed displays, games, and surprises inspired by a world where history has lost its way.

This family-friendly outdoor event is designed for children and grown-ups to enjoy together, with timed entry slots to help keep the experience safe, relaxed, and enjoyable for everyone.
🔗🎟 Book via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1990890003594?aff=oddtdtcreator

Can't decide which day to attend? Well on Saturday, we'll also have Scotia's Warriors coming along to help search for the Prince, a Scottish historical group that endeavours to keep Scottish history alive. They'll be in full Jacobite dress and weaponry!
On Sunday, Celtic Spirit folk music duo will be enchanting the woodlands with their captivating harmonies in celebration of the spirit of Celtic music.

Now, what are you waiting for?