Snowdrops at the House of the Binns

The snowdrops are out in force at the House of the Binns in West Lothian.

Situated on Binns Hill, which takes its name from the Gaelic Bens or Beins, meaning hills, The House of the Binns has been the home of the Dalyell family since the early 17th century. In 1601, Thomas Dalyell (1572-1642), a butter merchant from Edinburgh, was appointed Depute Master of the Rolls to James VI of Scotland. He moved to London with the King following the Union of the Crowns in 1603. He returned to Scotland in 1612 a rich man, and purchased 'the land of bynnis and the manor place thereof' for 38,000 marks.

Thomas Dalyell's son, also Thomas, was born at the House of the Binns in 1615, and grew up to be the most notorious member of the family, General Tam "Bluidy" Dalyell (1615-1685). A Royalist, General Tam led the fight against the Covenanters in the 17th century. The Covenanters were convinced that General Tam was in league with Satan himself and stories abounded of his dealings with the devil. Even his name was pronounced "De'il". He became an MP in 1678, representing Linlithgowshire at Parliament in Edinburgh, and in 1681, raised a new regiment, The Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons, who became the Scots Greys in 1877 due to the colour of their uniforms - chosen by Dalyell for camouflage. Following his death, his son became the first Baronet. The late Labour politician Tam Dalyell (1932-2017) was the 11th Baronet, and lived at the Binns for his entire life.

This picture was taken on 27 February 2018.