A spectacular two-day event attended by 100 supercars – organised by Driving Scotland and hosted by Broomhall House – has raised more than £15,000 for the RAF’s leading welfare charity, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Arranged to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Air Force, the event involved the exclusive use of the Forth Road Bridge and a flypast …
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 …
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars demonstrates the new Cullinan at Broomhall House
Releasing over 300 acres of parkland for the exclusive use of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the Bruce family was delighted to open up Broomhall Estate for the Cullinan, the new all-wheel drive Rolls-Royce. Broomhall is well acquainted with Rolls-Royce Motors, and recently hosted the inaugural event for the Spirit of Ecstasy Club, at the request of the Leven Car Company. By …
Diplomacy and Discovery: an Imperial Encounter with Japan, 1858
Broomhall House is currently showcasing a fascinating collection of objects and documents which tell the story of Britain’s first substantive diplomatic encounter with Japan – Diplomacy and Discovery: an Imperial Encounter with Japan, 1858. Appointed as British Minister Plenipotentiary in 1857, James Bruce (8th Earl of Elgin) negotiated a long-lasting treaty (Treaty of Amity and Commerce) in Tokyo (Edo) during …
Broomhall House host major supercar event for RAF Benevolent Fund
In September (2018) Broomhall House hosted an RAF Benevolent Fund charity event, organised by Mark Ryan of Driving Scotland, as nearly 100 supercars arrived at the Estate, having travelled in convoy across the Forth Road Bridge. Guests were then treated to special private guided tours of the Bruce family home and its internationally important collection while enjoying the hospitality of …
The Bruce family – in business for almost 450 years
Speaking at the annual Family Business United Scottish conference, Lord Bruce explained that the Bruce family can trace its business activities – continuously – for almost 450 years. The origins of the family’s enterprising spirit were revealed in the 1570s when Sir George Bruce sunk the innovative Moat Pit on the northern shore of the River Forth at Culross, creating …
Broomhall House and aerial warfare in WW2
Battle of The Forth Although close to Rosyth Naval Base and RAF Pitreavie, Broomhall House was not requisitioned for military use in the Second World War. Instead it served as the HQ of the Lord Lieutenant. The first aerial engagement of WW2 over the British mainland occurred on 16th October 1939 in the skies above Broomhall. Successive raiding parties of …