Behind the Scenes: Winter Conservation at Hopetoun House
While Hopetoun House may be closed to the public until Easter, the winter months are far from quiet. Behind the closed doors, essential conservation and maintenance work ensures that this historic House remains beautifully preserved and ready to welcome visitors again.
Deep Winter Clean: Caring for the Collections
During our closure, our expert housekeeping team carries out a thorough conservation clean in each room.
Every painting, chandelier, and delicate furnishing is carefully dusted and cleaned to ensure our collections remain pristine. This meticulous work safeguards Hopetoun’s treasures for future generations.
Conservation is at the heart of the Hopetoun House Preservation Trust. All proceeds from activities at Hopetoun House support the Trust’s mission of Conservation, Education, and Public Access, ensuring our heritage remains accessible and well cared for.
Tapestry Conservation: A Delicate Art
Since 1974, the Hopetoun House Preservation Trust has undertaken an ambitious series of conservation programmes, made possible by dedicated volunteers. Our tapestry volunteers, based in the conservation studio, play a vital role in caring for Hopetoun’s historic tapestry collection.
In 2018, we partnered with The National Trust for Scotland to send tapestries to Belgium for specialist conservation. Using the De Wit system—a technique involving steam clouds and an aerosol suction table—years of dust and dirt were gently removed.
In December 2024, a beautifully restored tapestry was reinstalled in the Ballroom following its treatment at the De Wit studio. After cleaning, months of careful repair, strengthening, and lining work restored it to its former glory.
Maintaining the Grounds
Beyond the House, the Hopetoun Grounds undergoes vital seasonal maintenance. Our dedicated Ranger Emma and her team of volunteers work tirelessly to clear pathways, cut back overgrowth, and remove invasive species. The winter months are ideal for this work, ensuring the grounds are ready to flourish in spring.
Recent storms, including Storm Eowyn, have made this task even more demanding, but thanks to our team’s efforts, the Grounds continues to be cared for for visitors and wildlife alike.
Looking Ahead
As we prepare to reopen, the dedication and expertise of our teams ensure Hopetoun House remains one of Scotland’s finest stately homes. Whether through conservation cleaning, tapestry restoration, or Grounds maintenance, our work never stops—even in the quieter months.
We look forward to welcoming visitors back in the spring to experience the beauty and history of Hopetoun House first-hand. Until then, rest assured that behind the scenes our work continues to preserve this remarkable heritage for years to come.
Categories: Hopetoun House
