Traquair Christmas Opening

A festive weekend at Traquair House near Innerleithen, billed as Scotland's oldest inhabited house, with craft stalls inside the decorated house and courtyard, carols, live music and Santa's grotto.

Traquair House, near Innerleithen in the Tweed Valley, ends its visitor season with a Christmas opening weekend at the end of November. The house is decorated for a Victorian Christmas with holly, ivy and wreaths, and local makers set up stalls inside the house and in the courtyard; the 2026 page lists around 17 stallholders selling crafts, jewellery, ceramics, woollens, prints and local food and drink.

Carol singers and live music play in the courtyard. The Old Walled Garden Café serves hot drinks, baking and lunches, there is mulled wine and mince pies in the Dining Room and a hot food stand outside, and the gift shop and Malt Loft (home of Traquair Ales) offer discounts over the weekend.

For children there is a pre-bookable Santa's Grotto, a puppet show in the chapel, a scavenger hunt and face painting (cash only). Entry is by timed morning or afternoon slot; Santa bookings need to match the entry slot. The grotto is not suitable for wheelchair users unless the house is told in advance, and prams must be left outside.