House of the Binns

Peafowl

A delight for visitors due to their exotic colours and flamboyant nature, the resident peafowl have become one of the most well-known attractions of the House of the Binns. The famous peacocks and peahens roam freely and roost in a huge sycamore tree close to the historic house, sheltered from the weather. Clues in the collection suggest there have been peacocks at the House of the Binns since the time of Thomas and Janet in the early 1600s, with one legend saying that as long as there are Dalyells there will be peafowl and vice versa.

A peacock with its tail feathers spread out in a fan stands on some grass.

A side-on view of a peacock with its tail feathers spread in a fan while it stands on a lawn with daffodils blurred in both the background and foreground.

A a peacock with its tail feathers spread in a fan with daffodils blurred foreground.

A peacock sits on a bench on some grass with it's long tail feathers cascading over the seat of the bench. A blonde sandstone stately home is pictured in the background.

A peacock struts past a green door of a sandstone building covered in green and red leaves.

A peacock with its tail feathers spread in a fan stands in front of a paned glass door of a sandstone building.

A peacock sits on top of a stone pillar with its long tail feathers cascading down. A tree full of blossom is in the background.

A peacock stands in the long, wavy grass in front of a stately home.