Andrew Bruce (11th Earl of Elgin) and the Normandy break-out, July/August 1944. Although aged only fifteen when Britain declared war, 96 year old Andrew Bruce ( 11th Earl of Elgin) is one of the few surviving witnesses to the first air battle fought over the British mainland – the Battle of the Forth – which occurred on 16th October 1939. …
An evening to remember: hospitality and tourism guests gather at Broomhall House
The Bruce family recently teamed up with three of its close collaborators MacLean and Bruce, the Adelphi Distillery and Hickory Food to host a special event.
An evening reception brought together 100 guests, representing just some of Scotland’s world-renowned hospitality and tourism sector.
Chasing a Legend; McLaren Automotive returns to Broomhall House
Following their Scottish tour in September 2017, McLaren Automotive again chose Broomhall House as their destination for a brief excursion for the McLaren Senna in January 2019. Launched in 2018 – to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s debut with McLaren Racing – the McLaren Senna was accompanied on its trip to Scotland by the original 2012 McLaren P1. …
Carrying on up the Nile – 250 years on
Featuring an epic African journey, Return to the Nile is a National Geographic commissioned biopic marking the 50th anniversary of Sir Ranulph Fiennes’s 1969 pan-African odyssey. The film follows the Fiennes cousins, Ranulph and Joseph, as they pursue the former’s footsteps. At Broomhall House memories of a much earlier – and just as ambitious – Nile journey can be found …
The clock which was 100 years too early
A marine chronometer developed by Alexander Bruce, 2nd Earl of Kincardine (1629-1680), has just been acquired by the National Museums of Scotland. A world first, Alexander’s sea-going pendulum clock was commissioned from the leading Dutch instrument maker, Severyn Osterwijck (1637-1694) in 1662. Seeking to improve navigation and promote international trade, Alexander collaborated with the Dutch mathematician, Christian Huygens (1629-95), to …
A very Canadian sort of hero? Robert the Bruce alias The Outlaw King at the Toronto International Film Festival
The screening of the Netflix commissioned biopic, The Outlaw King, at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) has attracted the attention of the Canadian media. Speaking to the Toronto Star, Lord Bruce explained that his forebear, King Robert, would have wanted to be remembered as a statesman, and not just as a warrior. Above: Lord Bruce with his father & …
Eat Outside Day in Japanese style
Celebrate Eat Outside Day with this jubako or picnic set bought as souvenir by James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin during the first British diplomatic mission to the Empire of Japan in 1858 – perhaps to remind him of Japanese banquets, with their individual sets of dishes and delicacies. Picnicking has long been popular in Japan, with origins in the 16th …
Broomhall House and the world’s most prominent motoring icon
A visit from a spectacular array of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to Broomhall House has further emphasised the incredible connection between the Bruce family and world motoring history. At the request of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Edinburgh – as part of The Leven Car Company – Broomhall hosted the full Rolls-Royce model range.
David II and St Monan’s – in the footsteps of King Arthur?
The sword of King Robert the Bruce was paraded at the Sea Queen Festival at St Monans in Fife. Opening the festival, Lord Bruce acknowledged the role of David II – son and successor to King Robert – who consecrated a church at St Monans in 1365. Several years earlier, the childless King David ensured the continuity of the Bruce …
The Broomhall House Collection: Indian photographs
This is a wonderful photograph of Princess Jahan the Nawab Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum (1858-1930) as a child, who ruled as Begum of Bhopal (1901-1926). The Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal , was one of the few Princely States of India which was ruled by a female dynasty. This matriarchal period of rule began in 1819 on the succession …