The Passing Of The Torch

1900 to 1934

With the passing of the 3rd Marquess of Bute in 1900, his son, as the 4th Marquess, would observe immense changes across Europe and the World in terms of technology, warfare and society as a whole, and he would also gently usher Dumfries House into the 20th Century. In 1909 the House was wired for electricity, and in 1913, concrete floors and ceilings replaced the old wooden ones

As an avid collector of many objects, literature, art and other ephemera, the 4th Marquess started to run short of space to store his collections. In 1934, he converted the double height chapel into a new dining room above and a Library below – these now being the Great Steward’s Dining Room, with the Rothesay Room below.

A Regimented Life

1942 to 1947

The Second World War came to Dumfries House in 1942, changing it from a family home into an Army post, when it was requisitioned by the Army, who built a camp called Pennyland Barracks in the grounds of the Estate. At first housing and training members of the Allied forces, it then briefly went on to become a prisoner of war camp in 1943. Although de-requisitioned in 1944, the Pennyland Camp was again converted, this time into a Polish Repatriation Centre in 1947.

The Ultimate Lady

1947 to 1993

It was also in 1947 that the 4th Marquess of Bute passed away. His son, the 5th Marquess had begun to use the House more frequently in the 1930s as a residence, along with his wife, Lady Eileen Beatrice Forbes. It must have been a place of fond memories for Lady Eileen, for following the death of the 5 Marquess in 1956, the Dowager Marchioness made arrangements to move back to Dumfries House by 1957, and stayed there happily for the rest of her days until 1993. Lady Eileen is still warmly regarding by the local community to this very day.

One Chapter Ends...Another Begins

1984 to Present

The current, 7th Marquess of Bute, adds quite a flourish to the most recent chapter in the history of Dumfries House. In his younger years, prior to succeeding to the title 7th Marquess, his passion for speed, and skill behind the wheel netted him the British Formula Three title in 1984, a season as Formula 1 team mate to Ayrton Senna in the John Player Special Team Lotus in 1986, and a joint winner of the Le Man 24 Hour race in 1988 co-driving a Jaguar XJR-9 under the racing name of Johnny Dumfries.

Since 1993, the House was cleaned and maintained by a caretaker, however, despite concerted efforts to work in partnership with various Heritage bodies and Trusts, by 2007 the continued management of the House and the Estate was becoming increasingly difficult to secure. It was with a heavy heart, that plans were drawn up to auction the House, its contents and the Estate. It got to the point where some of the art work and furnishings were en-route to Christie’s in London, when HRH The Prince Charles, who had been notified of the situation, stepped in with a plan and funding to save Dumfries House for the nation.