Lennoxlove House Celebrates with Scotch Roof Wetting
Posted: Apr 20, 2007
With a roof wetting ceremony today (April 20) to mark the completion of extensive external works, Lennoxlove House, one of Scotland’s premier historic country homes, moves into the final phase of a £3m restoration project to transform it into one of the most exclusive places to stay in Scotland.
In July, Lennoxlove House will re-open its doors to visitors and guests who, for the first time, will be able to sleep in the house in one of the 11 newly created luxury suites whilst experiencing magnificent reception rooms that house some of Scotland’s finest art held in a private collection.
The house dates back to the 1300’s and is home to the Duke and Duchess of Hamilton. Renovation became necessary as the years took their toll on the building’s ornate stonework. And whilst some of the walls are over 11 feet deep, the architectural features, which mark out the centuries in opulent style, needed expert care and greater protection to ensure they lasted another few hundred years. Work now starting inside the house will bring back the life and polish to the magnificent Lorimer design detail and elegant Colefax and Fowler scheme in the state rooms of the House.
Today’s ceremony saw Fraser Niven, Chief Executive of Lennoxlove House, Susanne Martin, general manager, and local piper, David Leckie of the Haddington Pipe Band, on the roof over 120 feet above the ground, dousing the newly wind, water-tight and re-structured building with a bottle of the finest Scotch, courtesy of the local Glenkinchie distillery.
Fraser Niven said:
“When we began looking into restoration work, it was our priority to ensure Lennoxlove House’s 700 year old heritage was preserved and safe from the elements that have taken their toll on the house over the centuries. In addition, the flooring and walls in the tower, which had suffered deterioration due to serious spells of dry rot throughout the last 20 years, have now been replaced ready for the introduction of 11 guest suites.
“We plan to transform Lennoxlove House into a magnificent destination for local and overseas visitors, corporate guests and couples getting married. Lennoxlove House has a unique character and heritage and when complete, we believe it will be unmatched for its style and interiors anywhere else in Scotland. We have high aspirations of making Lennoxlove House a vibrant part of the East Lothian landscape as well as a destination of choice for those who wish to visit Scotland in style. But, first and foremost, it will always be a home and that’s what sets Lennoxlove House apart along with its distinct quality.”
“Christening the building with a bottle of the local Glenkinchie whisky seemed far more appropriate than the conventional topping out ceremony, especially since this building has been rejuvenated rather than newly built. The whisky and the piper really grounded this building in its Scottish heritage and sitting, as we are, in the heart of East Lothian, the view from the roof was really quite stunning!”
Susanne Martin, general manager of Lennoxlove House who is overseeing the project, said:
“Although there is still a lot of work to be done, we are committed to completing every restoration task with the greatest attention to detail in order to do justice to the style and quality of the home’s interiors and pay respect to the grandeur of its heritage. Each room is being meticulously restored by skilled tradesman using only the highest quality of materials.
“We are proud to be a part of local history and we look forward to continuing to open our doors to the local community, who will once again be able to enjoy the house and its surroundings when it re-opens in July.”