Activities at Hopetoun

With 6,500 acres of beautiful rolling countryside, Hopetoun is ideally placed on the outskirts of Edinburgh as a location for outdoor activities or breaks at any time of the year. Hopetoun provides opportunities for Clay Shooting, Walking, Cycling and a range of outdoor activities with our Ranger Service. You can take full advantage of the outdoor activities on offer by staying in one of our self catering holiday cottages.

Clay Shooting

Hopetoun is a perfect escape for an afternoon's shoot in a stunning rural location, yet very accessible being only 12 miles from Edinburgh. Clay pigeon shooting is available to book for groups of six or more people with a range of affordable packages to suit your needs. Participants can also select from a number of private dining or whisky tasting packages, perfect for small corporate groups or stag weekends. For more information on clay shooting and packages please visit the Clay Shooting page.

If you are serious about your sport, or a novice sporting gun wishing to improve, try our simulated game shooting which is available through advance booking. This is a very special experience and as close to a real day's game shooting as possible with all the tradition and ceremony of a driven game shoot within the Hopetoun Home Beat. 

A range of simlated game shooting packages available ranging from evening shoots with barbeques to full day shoots with fine dining.  Please visit our simulated game shooting page for full details.

Walking

You can purchase a ticket to allow you to visit the Grounds of Hopetoun House from Easter weekend until the last weekend in September and explore the magnificent Planned Parkland. There are two delightful nature trails within the grounds. The Spring Garden Trail includes the old bowling green and the main gardens and the Sea Walk Trail has expansive views over the Deer Park to Blackness castle and the ruins of Abercorn Castle. There are two further nature trails designed specifically for children.

You are welcome to explore the wider estate outwith the House Grounds at any time of year however please exercise your access rights responsibly and be aware of other land uses and land management requirements. Please take note of any signs that you see.  If you have any queries regarding public access please feel free to contact us on 0131 331 1546.

Cycling

There are many routes suitable for cycling throughout the wider Estate including National Cycle Route 76 and the Union Canal towpath. Although we encourage and welcome visitors to arrive by bicycle, for conservation reasons and in consideration of others enjoying the walks in the core of the parkland around the house, cycling is not allowed within the grounds of Hopetoun House.

Ranger Activities

Our Ranger Centre is open during seasonal opening hours and provides lots of information on the trails to walk in the Grounds and on the natural environment with displays and activities.  There is also a programme of ranger walks and events throughout the season and at other times of the year which are very popular.  Please visit our Whats On guide for detail

For any enquiries about access for walking and cycling or to book clay shooting or simulated game shooting, please phone 0131 331 1546 or email estate@hopetoun.co.uk

 

Geocache

A geocache is hidden somewhere in the grounds at Hopetoun.  Geocaching is a treasure hunting game that relies on the global positioning system (GPS) satallites and receivers, such as satellite navigation devices used in vehicles and hand-held devices used by hikers.  Many smartphones are also GPS receivers.  The Hopetoun geocache is listed on the following website along with other geocaches from all over the world.