WINTON HOUSE ANNUAL OPEN WEEKEND
Saturday 31st March & Sunday 1st April

Winton House near Pencaitland, East Lothian is opening its doors to the general public for a weekend of historical guided tours, spring walks in the terraced and walled gardens, traditional homemade lunches in locally renowned Winton Café and an opportunity to explore the new network of estate paths opened last Autumn

On Sunday the gardens are open as part of Scotland's garden Scheme (SGS) and all proceeds will go to Princes Royal Trust for carer's and SGS affiliated charities.

Open from 12.30pm - 4.30pm
Gardens and Estate £2.50 per person
House Tours £2.50/£1.50 Concessions

Sir Francis Ogilvy, who is the factor for the Estate is proud of the work his team have put into the Estate, Gardens and House:
"We are exceptionally lucky to have such a fantastic team who put so much hard work into making sure Winton looks so well cared for all year round. It is therefore a pleasure to open the doors, in support of Scotland's garden scheme, and allow the general public an opportunity to experience and share the beauty of Winton"

Architecturally, Winton is one of the most important houses in Scotland with its famous carved twisted chimney's and beautiful, historic plaster ceilings. Passed between three important historical families over 500 years - The Seton's, Hamilton Nisbet's and Ogilvy's - the House is filled with an abundance of treasures including Van Dyke paintings, Meissen china and Chippendale furniture.

The Winton Walks combine old and new routes over Winton Estate and around Pencaitland village, parish and New Winton. Walkers have four routes, from 1.5 miles to 6.6 miles to choose from including a walk along the River Tyne, a historical walk through Pencaitland and a 10k walk for more serious exercise. Each walk has unusual points of interest along the way including giant carved totem poles, a pirate ship and "Ormiston Express" train and weather shelters, all created by Winton Forestry team.

Still lived in by Sir Francis Ogilvy and his young family this house provides the warmth and atmosphere of a family home whilst remaining a unique and memorable venue for a diverse range of corporate and private events.

Today Winton House is an increasingly successful corporate hospitality venue and won its second World Travel Award in 2006 as Scotland's leading Private Castle based on votes cast by travel agents worldwide. This puts Winton House, one of Scotland's most unique venues for corporate dinners, conferences and activities, alongside other better known winners like the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, The Balmoral in Edinburgh, British Airways and even the Paris Ritz.

Background for Editors

Winton House is an impressive stately home hidden in the heart of East Lothian countryside, only half an hour from the centre of Edinburgh. Winton is perfect for meetings, seminars, away days, dinners, activities and weddings. Visitors come from across the UK, Europe and the USA and include leading companies like Cisco Systems, Hartfield Life, ING, Fuji, Citrix Systems Benelux, Mercedes Benz, Microsoft, Scottish Widows, Barclays Bank, Toyota and PGA of America.

For further information please contact:
Morag Ramus on 01875 340 222 or morag@wintonhouse.co.uk
Winton House, Pencaitland, East Lothian, EH34 5AT