Dumfries House, one of the UK's most important 18th century classical houses, has been saved for the nation by a group of organizations and individuals brought together by The Prince of Wales. They have agreed to fund the acquisition of the house, its contents and adjoining land for the public benefit.
Its location on the edge of Cumnock in East Ayrshire means that the House and Estate will act as an engine for social and economic regeneration.
The organizations involved include The Prince's Charities Foundation, the Scottish government, The Art Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, The Monument Trust, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and SAVE Britain's Heritage.
The House, in East Ayrshire, was designed by the Adam brothers and is internationally renowned for its unique collection of furniture originally bought for the house and made by Thomas Chippendale and the contemporary Edinburgh furniture makers William Mathie, Alexander Peter and Francis Brodie. This Scottish group has no comparison anywhere in the world.
It is hoped to open the house to the public next year. An independent trust, The Great Steward's Dumfries House Trust, is being established to organise the presentation and maintenance of the house. It is believed that the public opening of the house, together with a related development in the nearby town of Cumnock, will be powerful agents for regeneration.
The Prince's Charities Foundation has borrowed a considerable proportion of the £45m total cost of the project. Fundraising continues to repay this loan. The offer to buy also included land in the Cumnock area with development potential which will be acquired from John Bute by the Prince's Charities Foundation. It is hoped that the redevelopment of this land, which will be planned by The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, will not only help repay the loan taken out to acquire Dumfries House but will also make an important contribution to the regeneration of the area.
Christie's has announced that the sale of the House's contents, due to be held on 12th and 13th July, will not proceed.