A Time to Give…The Dumfries House Community Awards
Recognising Local Support
Since it was saved for the nation by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay and first opened to the public in 2007, Dumfries House has benefited greatly from the support, loyalty and goodwill of many people, particularly those from the local community.
Building and Repairing Dry Stone Walls
Wednesday 9th & Thursday 10th of May 2012
This 2-day Course will provide hands-on instruction and training in the skills and techniques involved in constructing and repairing Dry Stone Walls. The course is aimed at Private Individuals, Estate and Farm Staff, Construction Industry Professionals, as well as those involved in landscape conservation and enhancement projects.
HRH the Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay officially opens new guest house at Dumfries House Estate
On Wednesday 4th April, to coincide with the start of the new visitor season at Dumfries House, a new Guest House, Dumfries House Lodge, was officially opened by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay.
This six bedroomed luxury guest house is a new venture for the Dumfries House Trust which was set up by His Royal Highness in 2007. The Dumfries House Lodge will provide accommodation for individual guests within the beautiful setting of the Dumfries House Estate and will also provide overnight accommodation within the Estate for those attending private or corporate events and dinners at Dumfries House.
Stannah stairlift helps open up Dumfries House, East Ayrshire
In time for the Spring opening season on 4th April, the magnificent 250 year old Dumfries House in Ayrshire has been fitted with a special addition to add to its historic furnishings.
Sunday Walks at Dumfries House Estate
April – June 2012
Blow the winter cobwebs away and join our curator on an exploration of the Dumfries House Estate.
Horse Bloggers
Further along the riverside walk, a fallen lime tree proved a daunting obstacle even for the hardy volunteers. Some extra muscle power was required!
‘Sultan’ was ready and willing for the task! The Belgian Ardennes stallion is part of the Lenihan’s Celtic Horse logger team, from Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, who are currently working on the Estate. Controlled by voice commands, this heavy duty, but environmentally friendly, ‘tractor’ managed to drag the logs along boggy paths on very uneven ground.
Celebrating Burns
The Prince of Wales (The Duke of Rothesay as he is known in Scotland) recorded a reading of “My Heart’s In The Highlands” in January 2009, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.
Burns Night, which is held on Burns’s birthday, 25th January, is the annual celebration of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns. “My Heart’s In The Highlands” was written by Burns in 1789, and is one of the poet’s most famous songs.
Romance is in the Air
Valentine’s Day Tuesday 14th February
The ultimate in Romantic Evenings will be hosted within Dumfries House itself with Dinner being served in the Great Steward’s Dining Room which will lavishly dressed for the most Romantic evening of the year. £85.00 per couple.
Sunday Guided Walks for 2012
Join our curator, Charlotte Rostek, on an exploration of the Dumfries House Estate.
Dates: 15 and 29 January and 12 and 26 February, 11.00am
The walk will take you from the historic Stable and Coach House, via the Laundry Building across the Adam Bridge. From here you will follow the road to the site of the Walled Garden and back across the river to the western boundary of the original estate. The Beech Avenue will join the Estate Road from the west gates and take you to the Dovecot – the oldest surviving building on the estate. A brief stop at the sawmill will continue to the Coach House Cafe where the walk will conclude.
Mini Tour Guides from Local School
Now in its third year, an innovative partnership between Dumfries House and Ochiltree Primary School has produced another generation of mini tour guides who led their friends and relations around the stately home on Saturday 3rd December.
The girls and boys from P6 and P7 had prepared for their big day for weeks: an initial demonstration tour of the fabulous house and collection of Chippendale furniture was followed by in-class practice and an intensive rehearsal session at Dumfries House just a few days before the tours were launched. Ms Pamela Lockie, Deputy Head from Ochiltree Primary said ‘The children have been so excited by the opportunity to perform as tour guides at Dumfries House. They found the training very stimulating and put a lot of effort into their presentation skills’. Charlotte Rostek, Curator at Dumfries House, added ‘This has been the most rewarding year in the partnership yet. The children were exceptionally keen and fully embraced the challenge.’ The kids also designed their own tickets, which were sold at £6.00 each and included tea/coffee/juice and mince pies for everyone after the tours were finished.
The parents and relations had come in large numbers to see their youngsters talk about the history of the house and some of its priceless furniture. Many of them had never visited the house before and were beaming with pride. They agreed that the children’s confidence had been given a great boost by speaking in front of so many people.
The children themselves clearly loved the experience. Young Calan said: - ‘I loved being a Dumfries House Tour guide. It was awesome and fun to talk about history.’ Iona echoed the enthusiasm shared by all her peers: ‘I loved it a lot and I want to be a Tour Guide. I want to do it again.’
The programme is designed to give young people a sense of ownership of this important local visitor attraction which was saved for the nation by HRH, The Prince Charles, in 2007. The brain child of Charlotte Rostek in 2008 the idea has been enthusiastically supported from the outset by Fiona Black, Headteacher at Ochiltree Primary School, and Pamela Lockie.
Next spring there will be another opportunity for children from the school to train and perform as tour guides. With any luck, perhaps some of them have already have found their vocation.