Visit Monteviot House
Our gardens are open from 1st April to 31st October and the house is open for guided tours during the month of July each year.
Address
Monteviot House and Gardens, Jedburgh, Scotland, TD8 6UH
Directions
Monteviot is on the B6400 approx. 1 mile from the A68.
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Guidebook
Click here to view our Guidebook (2018)
Activities
Monteviot, situated in the depths of the Borders, offers great opportunities for various activities. It is at the centre of a series of recognised walks both long and short, including Dere Street, St Cuthbert’s Way and marked walks to the Waterloo Monument on Penielheugh behind and above the House. It is in the heart of equestrian activities, and there is excellent fishing to be found in the River Teviot. There is let shooting and roe deer stalking. There are interesting ruined Abbeys in the towns around, and many historic sites and buildings reflecting the wild frontier days of the Border Reivers.
Woodland Walks
From the Harestanes Visitors Centre a number of walks radiate through the surrounding woodlands. They vary in length from under a mile to 4 miles and connect to the national walks of St. Cuthbert’s Way and Dere Street, which intersect the Monteviot parkland. There is walking for everyone.
Fishing
Below the house, the River Teviot runs mostly gently but sometimes in flood towards its Union with the River Tweed at the famous salmon fishing Junction Pool at Kelso some eight miles downstream. It contains an excellent if difficult to catch stock of wild brown trout. With skill and persistence they can be caught on a well cast fly. There is also a good run of sea trout and salmon which can provide great sport for the keen angler. In the back end some very large salmon have from tint to time been caught. Fishing can be rented from Lothian Estate Office, Jedburgh, Scotland (tel. 01835 862201).
The Wellington Monument
Due north of the house on top of Penielheugh is the most important architectural feature of the Monteviot estate. It is a huge stone Doric column over 150 feet high erected by the 6th Marquis of Lothian to commemorate the Duke of Wellington (to whom he was related through his mother), and the Battle of Waterloo following the defeat of Napoleon. This stupendous local landmark represents the second attempt on the site by the 6th Marquis. The first, a pyramid built in 1815 to the design of William Burn fell down ‘with a tremendous crash’ only a year after construction. The existing monument in the form of a ‘Triumphal Column’ was designed by Archibald Elliot and begun in 1817. It took 10 years to build, the stone being quarried locally. The inscription inlaid in letters of lead on the base reads:
‘To The Duke of Wellington And The British Army William Kerr VI Marquess of Lothian And His Tenantry Dedicate This Monument XXX June MDCCCXV’
The wooden gallery and picturesque spirelet on top were added by the 8th Marquis in 1867, to the design of John Hungerford Pollen, the Pre-Raphaelite architect. There is an internal spiral staircase which gives access to this elevated viewing platform.
Harestanes Park
Explore Monteviot’s magical gardens gardens, then follow scenic woodland trails to Harestanes with its artisan outlets and adventure playground. Children will love the exciting outdoor playground while adults enjoy vegetarian food from Out There Artisan or delicious ice cream from The Scoopery. The perfect family day out combining tranquil gardens, forest walks, and fun-filled activities in the beautiful Scottish Borders countryside.
This heritage attraction offers natural outdoor adventures through ancient woodlands, connecting Monteviot’s historic gardens and parkland to premium family facilities. Experience locally-sourced dining and exceptional refreshments while kids experience adventures in the playground in stunning countryside surroundings – all accessible via enchanting walking routes from the house (or park at Harestanes and walk to Monteviot).
