Traquair House opens to the public on March 29th this year and on Sunday 31st March will hold its annual Easter Egg Extravaganza. With over 6,000 mini eggs hidden in the Traquair Maze for the under 10’s this is the biggest Easter egg hunt in the Borders as well as other activities including egg painting, easter bonnet making and scavenger hunts there is a fun to be had all afternoon.
Traquair will be open throughout the school holidays until April 14th when it will then close before re-opening on a daily basis from 1st May.
There is so much history to enjoy within the house from the association with Mary Queen of Scots to the Jacobite uprisings and the secret stairs built for priests to escape in times of persecution.
For those who like a little liquid refreshment you can also try the famous Traquair House Ales produced in the 300 year old brewery in one of the wings of the house which is also a fascinating visit.
Throughout the summer Traquair also hosts a number of other events including the Traquair Medieval Fayre on the 25th & 26th May which includes jousting, combat displays, living history, early music throughout the house and grounds.
In June, the grounds play host to the annual Shakespeare at Traquair production, this year King Lear involving over a cast of over 50 adults and children which have built up a very strong reputation over the years.
Then on the 27th and 28th July the Traquair Fair returns with a Sixties theme with iconic bands’ The Troggs and The Animals as well a pop up cinema featuring the film “Tamlin” starring Ava Gardner filmed at Traquair in 1968.
Then, in August a literary theme takes over with the successful Books Borders & Bikes festival taking place on the 17th and 18th August with a superb line up of writers, thinkers and politicians as well as storytelling bike rides and literary walks.
Towards the end of the year there are Halloween Ghost tours and activities and finally a Christmas Opening at the end of November proving this is a great family attraction with plenty of reasons to return more than once in a year and a great day out.