Traquair Christmas Opening
Saturday 28 November – Sunday 29 November 2026
Traquair House, Innerleithen, Scottish Borders(EH44 6PW)
For its last open weekend of 2026, Traquair House gives itself over to Christmas. Lived in for more than nine centuries and counted as Scotland's oldest inhabited house, it stands among the hills and woods of the Scottish Borders' Tweed Valley, at Innerleithen. Holly and ivy from the grounds dress the rooms, and 17 stallholders sell their work indoors and across the courtyard: jewellery, ceramics, wool, prints, flowers and spirits from a distillery. Carol singers perform, with live music too. Children can book a visit to Santa's grotto and leave with a present from the Christmas Fairy, see a puppet show in the Chapel, try a festive scavenger hunt and pose in a giant sleigh. The Dining Room pours mulled wine to go with mince pies, and entry is £3 for over-12s, with under-12s free.
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What to expect
Date & times
Saturday 28 November – Sunday 29 November 2026
Getting there
Traquair House, Innerleithen, Scottish Borders (EH44 6PW for sat nav)
Dogs
Dogs welcome on a lead
Accessibility
Available: Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking. Not confirmed: Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible viewing areas.
Stalls
Stall list coming soon
Live schedule
Full timetable available when market goes live
Interactive map
Site map with GPS location available when market goes live
Live announcements
Real-time updates available when market goes live
Dogs at this market
Dogs are welcome at this market, on a lead.
Notes
Dogs are very welcome in all areas of the grounds and in the café, but must be kept on a lead at all times. Dogs are not allowed in the house or the courtyard.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas by law.
Accessibility
Confirmed:
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Not confirmed:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Step-free access
- Accessible viewing areas
Notes
The house cannot be made fully accessible to wheelchair users. There is a disabled toilet with ramped access in the toilet block near the café, and the cloakrooms in the main courtyard are on ground level. Disabled visitors can be dropped off in front of the house, with 3 disabled parking bays. The Gift Shop and Brewery Shop have one step to the entrance, and a temporary ramp is available. Santa's Grotto is not suitable for wheelchair users unless the house is told in advance.
Frequently asked questions
When is Traquair Christmas Opening in 2026?
It runs on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2026, the final weekend of the house's 2026 season.
What time does Traquair Christmas Opening start?
Entry is by timed slot on both days: 10am to 1pm, or 1pm to 4pm.
How much is entry to Traquair Christmas Opening?
Entry is £3 for visitors over 12, and under-12s are free. Season passes cannot be used for entry on this weekend. Tickets are available to buy in advance, and your slot is chosen when you book.
Is Traquair Christmas Opening worth visiting?
The weekend takes place in Scotland's oldest inhabited house, which has been lived in for over 900 years, set in the Tweed Valley. The house is decorated for Christmas, with 17 craft stallholders inside and in the courtyard, carol singers, live music and a Santa's Grotto.
Where is Traquair Christmas Opening?
At Traquair House, Innerleithen, Scottish Borders, EH44 6PW. The house says Traquair sits in the heart of the Tweed Valley, and visitors driving should follow the brown signs for Traquair House from Innerleithen.
How do I get to Traquair House by bus or train?
From Edinburgh, the house lists the X62 bus (Borders Busses) to Innerleithen, taking 1 hour 45 minutes. It also lists the Borders Railway from Edinburgh Waverley to Galashiels Interchange, about 1 hour. Visitors arriving by car should follow the brown signs for Traquair House from Innerleithen.
Can I bring my dog to Traquair Christmas Opening?
Dogs are very welcome in all areas of the grounds and in the café, but must be kept on a lead at all times. Dogs are not allowed in the house or the courtyard, where the craft stalls are.
Is Traquair Christmas Opening wheelchair accessible?
The house says it cannot be made fully accessible to wheelchair users. Disabled visitors can be dropped off in front of the house and there are 3 disabled parking bays, which you can ask about at the ticket box on arrival. There is a disabled toilet in the toilet block near the café, with ramped access. The Santa's Grotto is not suitable for wheelchair users unless the house is told in advance, and prams must be left outside.
What food and drink is there at Traquair Christmas Opening?
The Old Walled Garden Café is open all day for hot drinks and home baking, with lunch from 12 to 3.30pm. The Dining Room serves mulled wine, spiced apple juice and mince pies, and there is a hot food stand in the courtyard.
What is there for children at Traquair Christmas Opening?
There is a festive puppet show in the Chapel, a themed scavenger hunt around the grounds, a photo opportunity in a giant sleigh and face painting, which is cash only. Santa's Grotto costs £15 per child in 2026 and must be pre-booked: each 10-minute slot includes a chat with Santa, a photo and a gift from the Christmas Fairy, with a maximum of two adults per family.
What can I buy at Traquair Christmas Opening?
17 stallholders sell crafts inside the house and in the courtyard, including printers, ceramics, jewellery, wool, flowers and a distillery. The Gift Shop and Malt Loft are also open all weekend, with discounts on most items.
Is this your market?
This is a basic listing we've put together so visitors can find Traquair Christmas Opening. If you're one of its organisers, you can claim it — take control of the page, add your schedule, map and more.
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