Hopetoun

Hopetoun is the Derbyshire residence of the Duke of Leighton and has been since the creation of that title. However, the house's history reaches back much further.

Several centuries ago Hopetoun was summer house forming part of the domain of the Earl of Hopetoun. However, when the last of the Pelham-Hopes died out and the Earldom passed to one Herbert Astor, the new Earl deemed the house not nearly grand enough for an Earl - and not at all conveniently located and far too far away from those who had looked down their noses at him and now had to look up at him and his new title- and had an entirely new house created miles away on his existing estate. So was created the rather gauche Herald Court, the current seat of the Earl of Hopetoun.

Dilapidated and very dated, Hopetoun fell into the possession of a young cousin, the Viscount Hart. Over the decades it became annexed to the properties of the Viscountcy and its connection to the Earldom of Hopetoun all but forgotten. When the 19th Viscount Hart was created the 1st Duke of Leighton, a great deal of money was poured into the restoration and renovation of the rather ancient estate. However, all additions to the house were in keeping with its original style.

Hopetoun's current inhabitants are His Grace, Nicholas Gosling, Duke of Leighton and his brother, William Gosling.