Classic Car Rally Comes to Cumnock
"Get out of my dreams, get into my car ...!!"
Last Saturday - 10th September - a troop of classic cars stopped in at Dumfries House on their way from Moffat. A variety of classic, prestige and generally impressive automobiles were lined up outside the front of the house. Have a look at some here or go to our FaceBook page www.facebook.com/dumfrieshouse to see more. Have you got a favourite ...? If you're a member of a classic car club, or indeed an specialist interest group, why not hold an event here at Dumfries House? Get in touch for more information on group events.
Hidden Voices at Dumfries House
Have you got any tales to tell about this House, the estate or the family who lived here?
During our first summer season open to the public in 2008, we here at Dumfries House got chatting to a lot of visitors who had very interesting links to either the Chrichton-Stuart family (The Marquesses of Bute), this house or the estate. People who had actually worked in the house as staff, estate workers and residents from Cumnock and other local villages. Not only was it intertesting but incredibly useful for filling in the gaps of what day-to-day life was like living at Dumfries House or on this extensive estate. Many people rememberd Lady Eileen, the Dowager Marchioness of Bute who resided here fromm 1956 till her death in 1993. One chap told as a great anecdote about removing a bees nest from inside the chimney of Lady Eileen's south-facing bedroom: quite a drama! All of these stories have been preserved in audio interviews and written transcripts (sometimes known as "Oral History"). Many of the people interviewed were also photographed and a fantastic exhibition of our interviewees was held this summer in the Baird Institue, Cumnock. It would be nice to add to these memories, so if you've got any funny, moving, unusual or informative tales to tell contact us and we can add them to our ever increasing folder.
Watch our Wedding Tour
Why not make your wedding an extra special day by celebrating it at Dumfries House?
As seen on TV...
Since Dumfries House was spectacularly and majestically featured on Britain’s Hidden Heritage on BBC 1 in August and on the front cover of The Radio Times, the House has had a wonderful uplift in visitor numbers.
The programme showed the extent of the recent restoration and renovations and displayed the House in its full glory opening it up to a nationwide audience for the first time in 250 years. The House and the surrounding 2000 acre estate are fast becoming established as an interesting and popular attraction to locals and visitors alike and additional tours have been added to cope with visitor demand and to captivate the interest of the younger historians in the family.
Not Bitter about Brangelina!!
An open letter to Mr B Pitt and Miss A Jolie ....
Dear Mr Pitt and Miss Jolie,
Typical Wet Sunday Afternoon in Ayrshire
What is it about Sundays that make them even longer when it's bucketing down?
It's been a busy old day here at DH, despite the rain. I think it's the same all round the country though, right? That'll be Hurricane Irene visiting from the US! We had some American visitors in today who had to check twice this is still officially summer-time! Anyway ... the Bistro nigts are going well - every Friday and Saturday night at the Coach House through September (check the website for details). Go on, get that table booked for some hearty, warming cuisine - perferct for curing the miserable weather blues! DH Blogger :0)
Greenmill Primary weather the weather....
What better place to learn about the effects of weathering... than in the rain at Dumfries House :0)
35 pupils from Greenmill Primary came onto the Dumfries House Estate today to learn about weathering and erosion. Its a topic that is best seen in the field and what a great place to see it in action. We looked at the way the wind, rain and frost is slowly eroding the house away. Then it was a splash around in the burns and river..... all good fun and great to see examples of fluvial erosion taking place. The formation of Ox bow lakes was also covered, as was the fact that Scotland used to be in the tropics!!!! and used to be under 1km of ice!!!!! Its was great to have them here and i hope that they will return again to learn more about Dumfries House, its history n all............
Historic Scotland teach local schools....
Its 'taster' week at Dumfries House, schools from Cumnock, Auchinleck and Kilmarnack get a taste of traditional skills
Historic Scotland set up their tents on Sunday and throughout this week they are giving pupils from 5 local schools the opportunity to have a 'bash' at some traditional skills. Stone masons, brick laying, joinery, slating and lead work will all be tried by the schools. Yesterday it was the turn of Barrshare P6 and 7's. The day stayed dry. The groups spilt in two, one half doing the practical stuff, while the other group where taken on a brief tour of the Estate, taking in the Doocot, Saw Mill, Adam Bridge and new restored Bothy. At the Bothy the children were able to see the skills they had learnt put into practice. More schools to visit later this week.... watch this space for updates.
Unveiling of the foundation stone at Knockroon
The Prince of Wales visits Knockroon, unveiling the first foundation stone and meeting the people involved in the project.
The Prince and the Elephants
Yesterday, 31st May 2011, HRH The Prince of Wales arrived at Dumfries House to be met by two enormous elephants carrying the Dumfries House crest.
The pair of elephants named 'Dumfries' and 'Rothesay' after the house and HRH's Scottish title, have been sponsored by Dumfries House and are part of Mark Shand's Jungle City initiative.