Hopetoun House is now a five star attraction

Nov 19 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

HOPETOUN House has been named as the area’s first five star tourist attraction.

The picturesque stately home has been awarded the VisitScotland Historic House five-star rating recently.

A special event was held at Hopetoun House to mark the impressive achievement.

Guest speakers included Philip Riddle, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, Lord Hopetoun and a representative from Scottish Enterprise, who have worked closely with Hopetoun House in the last two years to help them expand.

Councillor Martyn Day, chair of Visit West Lothian, said: "Hopetoun House is a truly magnificent stately home, and this award reinforces its position as among the top attractions in the country and an asset to West Lothian.

"The team at Hopetoun House are doing a fantastic job in developing their business to make best use of the superb building and fantastic grounds, with two new self catering holiday cottages opening next year.

"With historic Linlithgow Palace and Almond Valley Heritage Centre in Livingston also reporting increased visitors this year, it shows West Lothian has a huge amount to offer tourists."