Hopetoun House is the 300 year old home of the Earl of Hopetoun.
It is now owned and managed by an independent charitable trust. The
house and grounds are open to the public from Easter to the last
weekend in September. An admission fee for the grounds and house
applies, with information here.
Access to the grounds (but not the house) is required to complete
this cache. Out of season, it may be possible to arrange a visit by
contacting the Ranger, details here. Please put
"Geocache" in the subject line of your e-mail.
This cache is placed with the kind permission of the Hopetoun
House Preservation Trust.
We began coming to Hopetoun in the autumn of 2009 with their
Green
Volunteers group, who meet once a month all year round to work
on the grounds. Tasks include clearing burns and paths, dividing
and planting woodland flowers, and cutting down invasive non-native
plants to make room for native flora and improve habitat for
wildlife. New members are always welcome. Information is available
here.
Entrance Kiosk
The listed coordinates are for the entrance kiosk at the west
end of the parking lot. Please pay your admission here. Have a look
at the map on the south side of the kiosk. In the map key, how many
kilometres is the sea walk trail? This is A.
The East Facade
Cross the road to the sign indicating "Pedestrian Walkway". Walk
west along the avenue of lime trees until you reach a signpost
pointing to the house entrance. Turn north and walk across the
front of the house. The front of the house was extended and
enlarged by William Adam. The Hope family coat of arms is visible
in several places. How many dots are on the shield? This is
B. If you are in need of fortification or other relief, the
toilets and the Stables Tearoom are on the north side of the house
and well sign-posted.
Ranger Centre
Turn left around the north side of the house. The Ranger Centre
is tucked in beside the old stables. If it is open, please stop in
and have a look around.
The Eagle's Eye
Continue all the way around the house till you are facing east.
Walk through the gate ahead of you. Look up and to your left to see
the eagle. It came from the Hope family's former home in Ceres,
Fife. There is text in the wall below the eagle. Craighall was
demolished in 195C.
The Bowling Green
Turn south now, and walk across the gravelled path along the
west front of the house. You'll get a better view of this from
across the pond. Please respect the privacy of the Hope family, who
occupy the south wing. Cross the Lime Avenue to see the bowling
green. Take the gravelled path skirting the bowling green to the
wide path heading south up the hill. Volunteer groups have put in
many hours restoring the neat edges of this path and clearing
unwanted undergrowth on either side. You will pass between two
urns. How many winged mermaids are on the urns in total?. This is
D.
The Spring Garden
Follow the path to the top of the hill. Turn around for a good
view of the south side of the house. Turn right along the path
heading west-south-west, to enter the spring garden. After a short
walk, on your left you will see a 20th century sculpture of Salome
in an alcove. This feature is known as The Pulpit and was
originally part of a parade at the side of the bowling green. It
was moved to its present location by William Adam. On the pediment
there is a crest bearing two coats of arms. This represents the
union through marriage of the Hopes and the Annandales in the early
18th century. Look at the crest. It is different from those on the
house. How many anchors are on the shield? This is E.
The Pond
Continue along the main path as it curves north again and
crosses the Lime Avenue. The trees will open up to both sides for
the main vista from the house to the estate deer park. Stop here
for a moment to admire the beautiful west facade of the house. The
majority of this facade is the work of Sir William Bruce. Walk down
to the pond and look for an edging stone with text. Please keep
hold of small children near the water. On what day in July 1999 was
the stone laid? The answer is F.
Sea Views and Red Deer
Walk back up to the main path. Opposite the house is the estate
deer park, home to a herd of fallow deer. Turn right (north) along
the main path to continue. Keep right at the orienteering post
marked with the number 10. Alternatively, if you want a longer
walk, head down the slope to Hope's Walk, which will take you out
to the former site of Abercorn Castle, then head back along the
path skirting the north deer park.
Both the straight main path and the longer loop will take you to
an open grassy area overlooking the north deer park, home to a herd
of red deer. The stag is often visible resting near the wall or in
the shade of the trees. The fence at this point is ornate, with
curled black supports that look a little like treble clefs. How
many of these are there? This is G.
The Cache
There is a bench here, a convenient spot to sit down and work
out the cache co-ordinates.
- A =
- B =
- C =
- D =
- E =
- F =
- G =
The geocache is at 55 59.G(A-E)(B+C) W 003
27.(E+F)(A*D)(A+F).
Please replace carefully and ensure it is well hidden for the
next seeker. When you are finished, continue along the sea view
trail back to the house to complete the loop.