statue inside monument

Tales of a Grandfather: the Bruce family and Sir Walter Scott. Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Sir Walter Scott, 15th August 1771.

Among the collection of nineteenth century novels in the library at Broomhall House are three shelves of early editions of works by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). As a writer of historical fiction Scott became the foremost literary figure of his era. Publishing 27 novels over a span of 30 years, he became the first author to enjoy a truly international …

Portrait painting of man and cover of book

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 …

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 …

man in military uniform

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 …

The Bruce Family and Britain’s armed forces

Over several centuries prominent members of the Bruce Family have served the British armed forces in a variety of roles. Raising a regiment In 1794 Britain was plunged into war with revolutionary France. Landowners responded to the emergency by raising regiments. Thomas Bruce (7th Earl of Elgin) raised a Fencible regiment of 300 men. They were garrisoned in Ireland where …

whisky tasting in the museum at Broomhall House

Broomhall House entertains international travel advisers with a world-first global fusion whisky

Broomhall House provided a memorable experience for a party of international travel advisers who enjoyed a visit to Scotland in early November. Representing the Virtuoso network, the visitors were accompanied to Broomhall by Richard Cooke, general manager of the Balmoral Hotel. They were shown how a private historic home is managed as a unique visitor experience for a global audience. …

Model United Nations (MUN) St Andrew’s Day Conference, Broomhall House.

Broomhall House hosts a Model United Nations General Assembly for Fife schools on St Andrew’s Day

Although far removed from the UN Plaza in New York, Broomhall House provided a perfect setting on St Andrew’s Day for a Model United Nations (MUN) conference.  Organised with the support of Douglas Chapman MP and Fife Council, the conference was run by Dr. Gari Donn, Scotland Convenor for the United Nations Association in the United Kingdom (UNA-UK).  Adopting the …