Preserving Rosebery Estates’ historic venues, like Rosebery House and Rosebery Steading, is a balancing act. Guided by expertise and profound respect for Scottish heritage, discover more about how Housekeeper Kyla Bell meticulously maintains these event spaces.

Rosebery Estates is home to a collection of several beautiful historic venues, each with roots stretching back through centuries of Scottish heritage. Preserving these historic venues, like Rosebery House and Rosebery Steading means more than simply maintaining old buildings. It’s about safeguarding our cultural heritage for today and for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

In this blog, we explore why the regular upkeep of these remarkable sites is essential, featuring insights from Kyla Bell, the dedicated housekeeper of both Rosebery House and Rosebery Steading.

Everyday Challenges

Maintaining venues as historic and unique as those at Rosebery Estates is no small feat. From preserving the delicate curtain fabrics that adorn the windows of Rosebery House to preparing the barns at Rosebery Steading for events, every detail requires expert attention and care.

Each material and artefact demands specialised care, which Kyla and her team meticulously provide. They face the complex task of preserving sensitive materials – polishing mahogany dining tables, and carefully mopping century-old floor tiles – all to ensure that each piece remains in pristine condition.

The challenges of maintaining historic buildings open to the public go beyond cleaning! With a bustling social calendar, finding the time to stay on top of the cleaning and care requires careful planning. “We must always be thinking two steps ahead!” says Kyla Bell, “so we can keep everything in perfect shape without disrupting our guests’ experience.”

Flexibility is key, as Kyla is constantly juggling shifting schedules and last-minute surprises that come with running both a family home and a bustling event venue. Whether it’s a sudden change in the family’s plans or an unexpected request from an event client, Kyla’s ready to pivot at a moment’s notice, adjusting her plans with a calm expertise that keeps everything running smoothly.

Working with Antiques

Rosebery House and Steading have been sympathetically renovated to reflect the elegance and style of their original eras, filled with antique furniture, family heirlooms, and intricate details that require a delicate touch. From 18th-century candelabras to hand-carved wooden bureaus, each piece has its own story – and its own maintenance needs!

For Kyla, caring for these treasures is a continuous learning experience. Whether it’s finding the best way to preserve the patina on an antique mirror or discovering how to bring out the lustre in original wood flooring, each task deepens her expertise.

Maintaining these venues and their contents is a constant balancing act, but through skill, dedication, and a deep respect for the Estate’s heritage, Kyla and her team work to keep the estate's venues pristine.

Prepping for Events

Throughout the year, Rosebery Estates host a wide array of events, each with its own unique needs and expectations. From corporate meetings in the bright Orangery of Rosebery House to intimate wedding breakfasts in the Steading’s stone-walled halls.

Each event setup requires a tailored approach to showcase the venue at its best and ensure that everything runs seamlessly –something that Kyla and her team excel at.

Working within Rosebery House, originally the family’s private residence, presents its own challenges. “Transforming a home still in use by the family into an event space takes extra care,” Kyla notes. With thoughtful preparation, the House becomes a breathtaking backdrop for weddings and corporate dinners, incorporating its historic charm with elegant functionality.

Balancing private use

Our venues are designed for everyone to enjoy—including the Primrose family! The house remains a cherished family retreat it’s this ongoing connection to its roots that gives Rosebery House its homely charm. Regular check-ins and good lines of communication with the whole team are really important to ensure there are no cross-overs with personal and client events.

Flexibility is key to making it all work. Things inevitably change, we work with a family who’s schedules shift and in a reactive events environment things change all the time. Having the ability to pivot and adjust plans is a big part of the job.

Meeting Guest Expectations

For Kyla, the reward comes from seeing the joy and satisfaction on guests' faces after “creating something so beautiful for others to enjoy”. Welcoming visitors from around the world, she and her team take pride in making each experience memorable.

Guests often share with Kyla what made them fall in love with the Estate, from the romantic allure of the venues to the breathtaking views surrounding them. Every setup, polished antique, and floral arrangement is carefully crafted with these special features in mind. Kyla finds it incredibly fulfilling to know she and her team have helped bring each guest’s vision to life.

For her, each event highlights the beauty of Rosebery and creates lasting memories, making all the hard work feel truly worthwhile.


Appreciating History and Heritage

Rosebery House, once a retreat for the 5th Earl of Rosebery, still radiates the elegance of its 18th-century origins, while Rosebery Steading, a beautifully restored ‘farm-toun’, offers a rustic charm all on its own.

Working at Rosebery House and Rosebery Steading has given Kyla a deep appreciation for the importance of preserving history and heritage. These venues, each with their own stories and original charm, offer guests an authentic Scottish experience – something Kyla loves to see them embrace. Whether through traditional music, ceilidh dancing, or a dashing groom in a kilt.

“Every event is different, personal to the people enjoying it at the time”.

In the end, preserving the historic beauty of Rosebery Estates and creating unforgettable experiences for our guests is more than a job - it’s a legacy we’re proud to uphold, ensuring that each event leaves a lasting impression on both our visitors and these cherished spaces.

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If you are looking to experience the magic of a true Scottish historic venue, reach out to the Rosebery Estates team and let us bring your vision to life.