THE MUSEUM OF EDINBURGH / HUNTLY HOUSE (62) (45 mins)

Built in 1570 for John Acheson, the house was occupied by the dowager Duchess of Gordon and her family for a period during the mid-18th century. The projecting upper floors in plastered timber and the three front gables were once very common in the old town. Huntly House was restored in 1932 and is now the main museum of local history in the city. Among the many items of historical interest on view is the National Covenant of 1638 which was signed by men of all ranks as a protest against Charles I's attempt to establish Episcopacy in Scotland and introduce a new service book. There is also a splendid collection of Edinburgh silver and glassware.

Huntly House is also known as 'Speaking House' on account of the four 16th-century plaques displayed on the front of the building. These aphorisms are said to answer criticisms aroused by the splendour of the building. The translations of these, including the 1932 plaque, are as follows.

ANTIQVA / TAMEN / JVVEN ESCO. (I am old, but renew my youth.) The initials are those of Sir Thomas B Whitson, Lord Provost of Edinburgh in 1932 when the building was restored.

HODIE MIHI CRAS TIBI / CVR IGITVR CVRAS / 1570. (Today for me, tomorrow for thee. Why therefore carest thou?)

VT TV LINGV® TV® / SIC EGO MEAR AVRIV DOMINVS SVM. (As thou art master of thy tongue, so also am I master of my ears.)

CONSTANTI PECTORI / RES MORTALIVM / VMBRA. (The affair of mortals to a steadfast mind is as a shadow.)

SPES / ALTERA / VIT®. (There is hope of another life.)