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Kinneil House, Museum and Estate

An impressive historic country house with some of the best examples of Rennaisance Art, open on selected days and surrounded by parkland and woodland which includes remains of a Roman Fortlet and the Antonine Wall. Kinneil Museum displays '2000 Years of History' from Roman times to the present day. 

 

If you would like to see inside Kinneil House, please book a guided tour here. (Every Saturday - April to September)

 

The Estate grounds are open year-round and are free to visit.

 

The lands of Kinneil Estate were originally granted by King Robert I (the ‘Bruce’) to Walter Fitzgilbert of Hamilton in 1323. The grounds remained in the ownership of the Dukes of Hamilton until1922 when the former Bo’ness Town Council purchased the woodland area and surrounds of Kinneil House under the Public Parks Act, for the general public to have access to the woodland for walks and recreation

 

Kinneil Museum is located in the 17th century stable block of Kinneil House and acts as an interpretative centre for Kinneil Estate.  The exhibition 2,000 Years of History tells the story of the park from Roman times to the present day.  Antoninus Pius, St Serf, Mary, Queen of Scots and James Watt are among the many historical characters associated with the estate.

 

A short walk from the museum takes visitors to the Antonine Wall, awarded World Heritage Site status in July 2008, and Roman fortlet, a medieval Church and the site of the medieval village, Kinneil House and James Watt's cottage.

 

Kinneil House is the historic home of the Dukes of Hamilton and dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Look out for the rare renaissance wall paintings – said to be the best in Scotland – and the resident ghost.

 

Popular BBC's Antiques Road Trip show showcased Kinneil House to celebrate the 250th anniversary of James Watt’s Cottage. 

 

 

 

Photo Gallery

Location map

  • Free Parking
  • Gift Shop
  • Part Wheelchair Accessible
  • Baby Changing Available

dog friendlyThis attraction is dog friendly*

                  (* please note: dogs are not allowed inside the attraction, unless an assistance dog, but are permitted on the grounds)

Kinneil Museum is open daily, 12.30pm – 4pm (excluding Tuesdays). Saturdays 10am-4pm (April-September)

Kinneil House guided tours take place every Saturday (April-September). More information here

There is a Community Bus which runs directly from Edinburgh making it easier to access the attraction for more info just click here

The inside of Kinneil House is only open on select days and only partially accessible to wheelchair users. However, the ground floor of the nearby museum is fully accessible and has an iPad with images of rooms inside Kinneil House. The paths around the estate, including those that run near to the Roman Fortlet are fully accessible to wheelchair and powerchair users and it has ample onsite parking.

More information at Kinneil House, Museum and Estate website.

Check Euan’s Guide, a disabled access review site where disabled people, their family, friends and carers can find and share reviews on the accessibility of venues around the UK and beyond.