A Visit to Dumfries House
On a recent trip to Scotland, I had the opportunity to visit Dumfries House (not actually in Dumfries, but Cumnock in Ayrshire). I had heard so much about the house and watched the programmes on TV about how King Charles (then the Prince of Wales) had stepped in at the eleventh hour and rescued this treasure for the nation.
I was not disappointed the 2,000 acre park is slowly being brought back to its previous splendour with a number of new additions, a Chinese Bridge, Maze and the Rothesay Garden. The highlight for me was the Queen Elizabeth II walled garden, having recently visited the gardens at Highgrove there were definite similarities, as you entered the garden you were greeted by a border of amazing delphiniums one of the King’s favourite flowers. The five acre garden features terraces as it is on a slope and display greenhouses, and a number of unique small garden buildings built by students learning their skills on site.
Visits to the house are only as part of a timed tour and it is essential to book well in advance, my sister and I ended up on different tours as they were the last places available. The restoration of the house involved very many craftsmen and women who were specialists in furniture, fabrics, paintings, stonemasonry and woodwork, the standard of work is exceptional throughout.
The high lights of the collection are the 56 pieces of Chippendale furniture, dating from 1759. The furniture has been re-upholstered in beautiful blue and yellow silk damasks, the highlight being the Blue Bed which took a 20 strong team 3 months to complete. The guides were excellent and gave details on some of the key pieces, however an hour soon flew by and I was left wanting to see and hear more.
Claire de Carle 29/6/24
