Club member Ian Douglas visited Dumfries House recently, here’s what he thought of the place. It sounds well worth a visit.
On 23 May I visited Dumfries House near Cumnock, which was of course saved from sale and break-up by Prince, now King, Charles. I had assumed that on a Tuesday in May, I could get a ticket for a tour of the house on the day, but not so. It is sold out for the next week! But I could at least visit the gardens. The very extensive grounds were busy and extremely impressive.
Before visiting I was cynical about the project being viable. But clearly, it is, and King Charles has really saved it creating a great asset for what is otherwise a fairly depressed area, following the closure of the coal mines. The gardens are massive. You can visit the gardens at no charge (apart from the walled garden that is only £3 to visit). The house is expensive, but if you are in the Art Fund (which I am) you get into the house for free when it isn’t fully booked. A few photos of the house and grounds. Ian Douglas
