However, its principal heritage is said to be the interiors.
Furniture comprises one of the most outstanding eighteenth
century collections in any house in the United Kingdom with
magnificent examples of the work of Thomas Chippendale and
such Edinburgh craftsmen as Alexander Peter and William
Mathie. It is arguably the most complete and in-tact collection
surviving in any Scottish country house with the pieces
still remaining in-situ in the locations originally designed
for them by Robert Adam.
The original owner (Marquess of Bute) chose to sell the
property in order to concentrate on his Estate on Bute (Mount
Stuart), saying that he never lived in Dumfries House,
and thought of it more as his grandmother's home. The National
Trust for Scotland was invited to raise the funds required
to secure the property and its contents. The Trusts first
valuation of the property was turned down. That began rumours
the property would be sold at auction with the contents
sold in lots.
27/06/2007, The Scottish Government along with a newly-formed
consortium reached agreement with the Marquis of Bute to
purchase Dumfries House and its collection to safeguard
it for the nation. The announcement of the agreement came
on this day from Prince Charles who brought together the
consortium to fund the acquisition of the house.
The Scottish Government, through Historic Scotland, contributed
£5 million towards the £45 million total cost
of the project.
The house is now run by an independent trust, the Great
Steward's Dumfries House Trust. It opened to the public
in the summer of 2008 with the first day being sold out.
For updates on visiting dates and new information, visit
the official website www.dumfries-house.org.uk
.
For a video tour of Dumfries House by Dan Snow, visit the
website: www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow/article/2007/09/ds_dumfries.
For more stunning Scottish Mansions, Visit the website
www.relevantsearchscotland.co.uk/tourism/mansionvisits
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