GunsGreen House, Eyemouth, Berwickshire, Scotland

Built by local smuggler John Nisbet in 1753, the house  was the centre for smuggling activity in the area. John Adam, one of the most famous Scottish architects of the time, designed the house to suit Nisbet’s needs. Secret passages in the cellars lead to the sea, where Nisbet would pick up illegal overseas deliveries, and hidden inside the walls are unique ‘tea-chutes’, relics of a time when black market tea was surprisingly profitable. The secrets of the house remain intact today for you to see.

After Nisbet’s time, the house served many purposes, from family home to golf club. However, by 1998, the house was abandoned and run-down – which was when the Gunsgreen House Trust was set up. Since then, the charity has worked to restore, conserve, and tell the story of the building. Tours of the house are detailed, lasting an hour or two, and activities have been set up for kids, encouraging them to explore the house and discover its secrets. Boat tours of the Smugglers’ Coastline are also available for a look at the wider area Nisbet operated in.

The Gunsgreen House Trust has also worked with historian Derek Janes to create the Smuggler’s Trail, a walking route which links Gunsgreen House to the nearby villages of Burnmouth, St. Abb’s Head and Cove. The trail explores the rich history of smuggling activity in the area, and thanks to the information points along the walk,  it’s perfect if you want to learn more about smuggling.