Traquair brings together an exceptionally long house history with specific trails and landscape features. Traquair House is considered Scotland’s oldest continuously inhabited house and has been lived in for over 900 years. At the same time, the Southern Upland Way passes through Traquair, and a traffic-free cycle path connects the village with Innerleithen. You can focus on history, trails or both, without treating these distinct experiences as a single route.

Traquair House and its history

Traquair House was originally a hunting lodge for the kings and queens of Scotland. Mary, Queen of Scots, visited the house in 1566. A cradle and bed attributed to her can still be seen there. The Bear Gates are another striking historical feature: they were built in 1739. By 1107 at the latest, an extensive building must already have stood at Traquair.

Visitors can tour Traquair House; 19 rooms are open to the public as part of the tour. As access is seasonal, it is advisable to check before travelling. Visitors can also explore the extensive grounds, though these too are open seasonally. If visiting the house is important to you, take these conditions into account when planning.

Mazes, grounds and brewing tradition

Traquair Maze was created in 1981 and is Scotland’s largest hedge maze. Traquair House Maze is planted with 1,500 trees. These two details offer different insights into the village’s maze attractions, without making any claims about access to either.

The brewing tradition is also part of the visitor experience. Traquair House Brewery is a working brewery with a history dating back to the 18th century. Traquair House Ale is based on an old-fashioned recipe for Scottish heavy ale. Visitors can taste and buy Traquair House Ales on site; check seasonal opening in advance. There is also bicycle parking at Traquair House.

Church, river and trails

Another historical landmark is Traquair Parish Church. It includes a Catholic burial chapel of the Stuarts of Traquair and is listed as a monument for its associations with the Stuart and Tennant families. The church was built in 1778 by John Haldane and Co. to a design by John Winter. Alongside the house’s long history, this precisely dated church building offers a distinct perspective on the village’s past.

The landscape can be understood through several clearly identified features: the Quair River runs through the Traquair estate, and the Woodland Walk includes some of Scotland’s oldest yew trees. The Cheese Well is a natural spring that has long served as a water source for travellers on an old cattle droving route. These historical and landscape features describe different aspects of the area without defining a single shared walking route.

The Southern Upland Way is 212 miles (340 kilometres) long, runs from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath and passes through Traquair. Separately, a traffic-free cycle path connects Innerleithen and Traquair. For travel planning, these are two specific points of reference: a long-distance route that passes through Traquair and a cycling link between the two named destinations. If you cycle to Traquair House, bicycle parking is available there.

For a history-focused stay, the house and Parish Church offer different points of interest; those more drawn to the landscape can explore features by the river, along the Woodland Walk and on the trails mentioned above. Choose your focus based on which aspects of Traquair you would like to discover.

Discover more destinations: Heriot, West Linton, Ashkirk, Houndslow, Saint Boswells, Newcastleton, Melrose, Ednam.

For the wider travel overview: The Scottish Borders.