Saturday November 14th 2026
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Santa’s sleigh will be pulling into Scotland’s oldest inhabited house near Innerleithen to launch a host of festive fun this Yuletide.
A plethora of activities are lined up for Traquair House’s annual Christmas opening on Saturday and Sunday, November 28th and 29th, with a packed programme of events and activities for all ages and a chance to get ahead with the festive shopping.
The house will be decorated for a Victorian-style Christmas, and throughout will be a variety of craft stalls selling their wares from delicious sweet treats, cards, clothes and gifts.
In the courtyard there will be more stalls, a Hot Dog BBQ and roasted chestnuts, and sales in the gift and brewery shops.
In the dining room mulled wine and mince pies will be served.
A weekend programme of entertainment will include puppet shows with Poppy Brown, The St Ronan’s Silver Band (Saturday) and the Peebles Silver Band (Sunday) the Traquair Choir, the Harmony Bells and Julian Goodacre with the Elcho Griffin Street Organ.
For younger children the main excitement will be a visit to Santa in his luxurious grotto by an open fire in the beautiful Lower Drawing Room with his Christmas fairy.
Booking must be made in advance and other fun for children will be face painting and the Christmas Scavenger Hunt with a chance to explore the maze and wonderful woodlands.
And for those that love ponies, Haughhead Stables will be providing pony rides.
The Old Walled Garden Café will be open for the last weekend this year and you can enjoy home cooked lunches and baking from chef Val Brunton.
If you are local and perhaps never been inside the house before this is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Adult entry to house and grounds is only £3 and Under 12’s are free.
Santa’s Grotto costs £15 per child and pre-booking is required: all tickets and information available at www.traquair.co.uk/christmas/.
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