Lennoxlove House pays tribute to design legacy
Posted: May 28, 2007
Lennoxlove House, one of Scotland’s premier historic country houses, is in the final phase of a year-long restoration as a part its transformation into an exclusive place to stay.
The meticulous renovation of the 700-year old house pays tribute to its long heritage at the centre of many landmark events in Scottish history, as well as to the design legacy established through previous renovations by iconic interior designer John Fowler and renowned Scottish architect Robert Lorimer.
Having restored intricate cornicing and antique fireplaces, repaired centuries old staircases and replaced glorious parquet floorings throughout the 68-room house, Lennoxlove House, formerly the home of the Duke and Duchess of Hamilton, will now re-open its doors in July to reveal a stunning refurbishment.
For the first time, guests will be able to sleep in the house in one of the 11 newly created luxury suites whilst enjoying five-star service within the magnificent reception rooms. And unlike other historic homes, guests will not be shut away from Lennoxlove House’s vast treasures, but enjoy them as part of the whole experience. Lennoxlove houses some of Scotland’s finest paintings and historical artifacts, including Kneller and Lely portraits, a tortoiseshell and ebony cabinet that was a gift from Charles II and a 16th century four-poster bed rumoured to have been slept in by Mary Queen of Scots, which will now be available to modern day brides to be.
When the restoration is complete, Lennoxlove House, which is set within East Lothian woodlands a mile south of Haddington and just 20 miles from Edinburgh, will become a destination unrivalled for style and service.
Some of the historic interior highlights are:
The Yellow Room is the centerpiece of the original Fowler scheme, said to be one of the most comprehensive in the UK. Using a drag technique to take the sharpness out of the yellow, it was designed as a modern environment for the Hamilton family’s portrait collection. Of particular interest is the painting of the 6th Duke of Lennox who is wearing a blue garter robe. The robe was only recently rediscovered literally pinned up on the back of an antique cupboard in the house.The Duchess of Lennox Cabinet, veneered in tortoiseshell and ebony, is one of the most fascinating items featured in Lennoxlove House. It was presented as a gift from a besotted Charles II to “La Belle Stuart”, Duchess of Lennox and Richmond, who it is said resisted his advances. It is Frances Stuart, the Duchess of Lennox and Richmond who gave her name to the House.
Lennoxlove House is also host to a detailed carved, Ebony bed. This four poster bed is set with Ivory and tortoiseshell, the canopy is elaborately paneled on the inside and the headboard has been crafted from mother of pearl. The Bed originally belonged to Pauline Borghese, sister of Napoleon, who gifted the bed to the 10th Duke of Hamilton.
The Petit Point room features unique embroidery onto silk damask wall coverings. Containing embroideries of birds and animals, which were sketched in diaries by sailors out at sea in 1650, it wasn’t until 100 years later that the drawings were discovered and embroidered onto the coverings.
A French silver casket given to Mary, Queen of Scots by her first husband is one of only two principal pieces of French 15th century silver in Britain. The casket has a curved lid and decorated with a pattern of vine stems and leaves separated by lines of silver gilt with small stylised flowers. This casket is said to have contained the letters, which incriminated the Queen in the murder of her second husband, Lord Darnley.