Scotland's most ancient continuously inhabited family residence, Traquair House, is gearing up to welcome the public once again.

Nestled near Peebles in the Scottish Borders, this historic manor traces its origins back to 1107 and has been home to the same lineage since 1491.

The Earl of Buchan bestowed the property upon his son, James Stewart, who became the inaugural Laird of Traquair, passing the estate down through generations.

In 1566, Mary Queen of Scots graced Traquair with her presence, but by the 18th century, the family had lost their political standing due to their return to Catholicism.

Following Bonnie Prince Charlie's visit in 1745, the 5th Earl vowed that the decorative gates would remain closed until the Stuarts reclaimed the throne.

Today, Catherine Maxwell-Stuart, the 21st Lady of Traquair, resides in the manor, which reopened to the public around her birth some 60 years ago.

Each spring, Traquair flings open its doors to approximately 30,000 visitors eager to delve into its rich history and explore the breathtaking 4,500-acre grounds.

Staff have been captured busily dusting, organising the historic collections, and rearranging antique furniture in anticipation of the reopening on 1 April.

The grounds also boast Scotland's largest hedged maze, sprawling over half an acre and comprising 1,500 Leylani Cyprus trees.

Mrs Maxwell-Stuart reflected: "It started as a hunting lodge for kings and queens of Scotland. Then it became a fortified tower and manor house.

"The last addition was in 1694 so it is unchanged since the 1700s.

"It has 900 years of Scottish history inside.''