Broomhall House Newsletter June 2023

Our Latest newsletter looks at some of our recent successful events and features this illustration of King Robert the Bruce by Andrew Jamieson who also produced the invitation to the recent coronation. It is also a highlights that Broomhall House is the perfect destination for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, from special private parties to a memorable stop as part of a …

Scottish Torque Show 2022 – Broomhall House hosts classic cars and aircraft

Building on the success of the 2021 Scottish Torque Show, over 170 classic and supercars assembled at Broomhall in early September. Hosted jointly with the RAF Benevolent Fund and Driving Scotland, the annual event has become a major fundraising event for the Benevolent Fund. Amidst several military themed attractions  – including a flight simulator and the cockpit of a Tornado …

The Battle of Byland – King Robert’s forgotten victory

On 14 October 1322, a Scottish army commanded by King Robert the Bruce won a spectacular victory on the heights of Sutton Bank in North Yorkshire, overwhelming their English foes, who thought by commanding the high ground that they would be impregnable from attack. Instead, the Scots outflanked the English and their cavalry, under the command of Walter Stewart, and …

Broomhall House marks HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

In marking the Platinum Jubilee, the Bruce family would like to record their appreciation of HM The Queen’s extraordinary record of public service over the last 70 years. Two members of the family – Edward Bruce, 10th Earl of Elgin, and Andrew Bruce 11th Earl of Elgin – have been honoured to represent the Queen as Lord Lieutenant of Fife, …

painting of a woman

Notable women of the Bruce Family

Martha Whyte, Countess of Elgin and Kincardine (1741-1818) Married in 1759 at the age of 18 to Charles, 5th Earl of Elgin and 9th Earl of Kincardine, Martha Whyte brought up a family of eight children in 12 years, though only four survived into adulthood. Martha was born in London and orphaned by the age of five. Her father Thomas …

supercars in front of country estate

Broomhall House helps to raise £15,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund

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 …

antique clock

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 …

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 …