Discover the hidden history of Traquair House, near Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, one of Scotland's oldest continuously inhabited houses, with nearly 900 years of extraordinary stories within its ancient walls.

In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we explore how a royal hunting lodge became a fortified tower house, then a lairdly residence, a Jacobite refuge, and a clandestine centre of Catholic worship, hosting 27 monarchs along the way, including Mary Queen of Scots, who visited in 1566 with her infant son, the future James VI.

From the Wars of Independence and the Border Reivers to the doomed Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745, Traquair House sat at the heart of Scotland's most turbulent centuries. We uncover the secret Priest's Room, the remarkable Winifred Maxwell, and the legend of the Bear Gates — locked shut since Bonnie Prince Charlie's visit and never reopened. Whether you're a Scottish history enthusiast, a Borders explorer, or simply love untold stories from Scotland's past, this episode of our Scottish history podcast is essential listening.

For more information, please see https://thistleandtime.scot

Music credits:

Eight Mountains by Savfk

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Village Ambiance by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords)

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Phase Shift by Scott Buckley

At The End Of All Things by Scott Buckley

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Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

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