Dumfries House

Dumfries House is a mansion about two kilometers west of the Scottish town of Cumnock in the East Ayrshire council area . In 1971 the structure was included in the Scottish List of Monuments in the highest category A. There are three more Category A buildings, a pigeon house, a bridge and two lodges on the extensive grounds of the manor house.

history

The Crichton family lived in Leifnorris House during the second half of the 17th century . When William Dalrymple-Crichton inherited the title of Earl of Dumfries on the death of his mother , he commissioned the construction of a new manorial seat. Architects John and Robert Adam began work in 1754 and completed it in 1759. No remains of the Leifnorris House, first mentioned in 1440, were preserved towards the end of the 19th century.

Through Dalrymple-Crichton's great niece, the lands fell to John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquess of Bute . In the course of modernization in the early 19th century, the building was extensively redesigned. John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute , also had the gardens expanded and five new gatehouses built. Robert Weir Schultz was responsible for the most important works on Dumfries House . This also includes the addition of two wings to the two pavilions.

Since no buyer could be found, the auction of numerous exhibits of the unique interior was prepared in the 2000s. Under the leadership of Prince Charles , an organization was founded which bought the 7th Marquess of Bute the approximately 2000 acres (around 810 hectares ) property for £ 45 million in order to maintain it. In the following year the mansion was opened to the public.

Pigeon house

Dovecote from Dumfries House

The Dumfries House pigeon house has been independently classified as a Category A structure since 1971. Besides a barn, it is the only building that still comes from Leifnorris House. It was built in 1671 and restored in 1842. The walls are plastered with Harl and the final gable roof with stepped gables . The interior of the pigeon house is not divided into rooms.

Avenue Bridge

The Avenue Bridge leads the north approach to Dumfries House over Lugar Water . It is located about 400 m northwest of the manor house. The stone arch bridge crosses Lugar Water in three arches. Massive parapets flank the driveway. At the level of the central arch they are made as a balustrade and equipped with four slender obelisks . The bridge was built together with the mansion.

Temple Lodges

The two Temple Lodges are located north of the Lugar Water and together form a Category A monument. They were built at the time of Dumfries House. Originally the lodges flanked the northern access road to the manor house, but are now remote. The identical buildings are reinforced and designed in the style of a temple. Architecturally, they have neo-Gothic elements, including pointed arches and quatrains . The axes of the houses run diagonally along the access road. They are connected to a blind wall, in the middle of which a doorway is cut out. The Temple Lodges are now only preserved as ruins and are listed in the register of endangered listed buildings in Scotland. Their condition is described as ruinous and at high risk. In June 2013, funds of around £ 269,000 were made available to support them.