Estate and the Country House in Scotland, circa 1700

Charlotte Abney Bassett is an Independent Historian with particular interest in rural Scottish history and the British Atlantic World. She received her PhD in the History of Art from University of Edinburgh. She worked closely with Peter Burman and the volunteer archivist team at Hopetoun House Papers Trust, located onsite at Hopetoun House, during her years of research for her thesis. While completing her doctorate and teaching history of art at Trident Technical College in Charleston, South Carolina, she published in Georgian Group Journal (2018 and 2021), Journal for Scottish Historical Studies (2020), and Studies in Arts and Humanities Journal (2019). She was elected as a fellow to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in April 2024.

• List of IllustrationsList of TablesAcknowledgements1. Introduction: What is a country house in Scotland?Part I: The House2. Introducing the Hopes3. When and How Was Hopetoun House Built?4. “Upstairs”: The Design of Aristocratic Spaces at Hopetoun House5. “Downstairs”: The Offices Serving Hopetoun HousePart II: The Estate6. Income, Improvement and the Agricultural Landscape7. Productivity and Profit at Leadhills, 1680-17808. The Agricultural Landscape of Hopetoun House9. The Estate, the Landscape and Hunting at Hopetoun House Conclusion: A Paradox of Labour and LeisureBibliographyIndex

A much-welcome study, focused upon one of Scotland’s greatest houses – sequentially, the masterpiece of architects Sir William Bruce and William Adam. Forensically-researched, uncommonly broad and well-rounded in its approach and scope, this book scrutinises the entire construction narrative and ensemble; examining wealth sources, architectural requirements, landscape reconstructions, and far more.