Bannockburn House Heritage Conservation Tour

Step behind the scenes of Scotland’s biggest community-led conservation and restoration project!

Special Guest on September 22nd tour:

Ms. Katharine Rubinetti, a visiting student from the USA, will be joining us to discuss her work on digital curation of our collection. Made possible by a generous grant from the St. Andrew's Society of Washington, D.C.

Duration: 1hr 45 min

Join us on a unique exclusive heritage conservation tour of Bannockburn House and discover how we are bringing this remarkable 17th-century gem back to life. Far more than just a historic house tour, this is a behind-the-scenes experience where you’ll step into the world of conservation, research, and discovery.

Uncover stories hidden for centuries as we reveal some of the most surprising and exciting finds unearthed during our work — from a centuries-old bone comb tucked behind the panelling to "Scotland’s Oldest Lemon", preserved in a floor void, and now helping us rethink historic trade and domestic life.

You’ll learn how our community-led conservation project is working hand in hand with engineers, architects, archaeologists, craftspeople, and heritage professionals to save and restore the building with care and integrity. See conservation in action as we explain the techniques being used to stabilise rare 17th-century plasterwork, record original wallpaper fragments, and uncover the secrets of Bannockburn’s construction.

From historic paint analysis to laser scans and archival detective work, discover how we research the building’s past — and record every find for future generations.

Whether you’re a heritage enthusiast or someone passionate about Scotland’s built environment, this tour offers a rare opportunity to explore how communities and experts can work together to rescue, research, and reimagine our shared history.

Every stone has a story — come hear ours.

SPECIAL NOTE:

This tour requires participants to wear head protection/PPE and have the ability to walk up and down uneven stairs and on uneven surfaces to visit areas of the building under active conservation. This tour is open to adults only 18 years and up.

Parking

Parking is included in your ticket. There is a car park at the top of the drive near the front gate. Blue badge holders are invited to park closer down to the house on the drive.

Shop

Open on Tour Days

Suitable Attire

Bannockburn House is undergoing conservation and restoration works. Floors are uneven, sturdy footwear is required. No high-heels or flip-flops will be permitted. You must wear PPE provided on this tour.

The house can get very chilly even in summer, please dress accordingly.

!Accessibility Summary!

Limited Blue Badge parking is offered near the house on the drive. Due to emergency works and exclusion zone, current safe access is via the Woodland Walk on an uneven woodchip path to a pea gravel path and lawn at the back of house. A ramp into ground floor gives access to Wilson Wing. Special arrangements are currently required to ground floor entry of Jacobean Wing. Please contact us at the email below. The house is undergoing conservation and restoration. While we are planning to expand our accessibility friendly options, we are limited at present and apologize for any inconveniences. Currently ramp access is limited to the ground floors only. Please email us at admin@bannockburnhouse.scot for arrangements.

WCs

Chemical toilet (porta-loo) onsite for public use. Accessible toilet available