Dumfries House & Grounds
In a remarkable 21st century country house success story, Georgian mansion with exceptional collection of Chippendale furniture saved from dispersal.
Cumnock, Ayrshire, KA18 2NJ
Georgian Gem, nestling within 2,000 acres of scenic Ayrshire countryside in south-west Scotland. Commissioned by William Crichton Dalrymple, the 5th Earl of Dumfries.
The House was designed by renowned 18th-century architect brothers John, Robert and James Adam and built between 1754 and 1759.
Recognised as one of the Adam brothers’ masterpieces it remained unseen by the public since it was built 250 years ago until it opened its doors as a visitor attraction in June 2008. The former home of the Marquesses of Bute, it was saved for the nation at the eleventh hour by a consortium of organisations and individuals brought together by the then Prince of Wales, HM The King Charles 111.
The house holds the most important collection of works from Thomas Chippendale’s ‘Director’ period. It is widely recognised that Scotland was a testing ground for Thomas Chippendale’s early rococo furniture and the Dumfries House collection is regarded as his key project in this area.
Dumfries House also holds the most comprehensive range of pieces by Edinburgh furniture makers Alexander Peter, William Mathie and Francis Brodie.