The grounds at Dumfries House

Dumfries and Galloway holiday 16

It soon became apparent to Charles, then Prince of Wales, that it was not only Dumfries House itself that needed bringing back to life but its whole 2500 acre estate - and to a great extent the surrounding area and community too. The King's vision for this has been clear from the start and, in my view, very enterprising and inspired. He has encouraged collaboration with schools and colleges and set up heritage craft centres on the estate to provide the restoration skills needed and also to train new craftspeople so that these ancient skills will not be lost. Some of these can be viewed by visitors.

There are engineering, hospitality and horticulture training centres on the estate and an education farm with a collection of rare British breeds. The House hosts conferences and weddings and there are now something like 200 local people directly employed by the Trust, as well as an army of volunteers. Some projects have been carried out to improve the town of New Cumnock as well. Some 15 years after Dumfries House was saved, the life and vibrancy in the whole place feels truly uplifting. 

Although it was baking hot, I did enjoy exploring the grounds, where old and new features sit happily together. One of the oldest is the Dovecot (top photo) which bears a date of 1671 carved into its door. Dovecots like this were used for storing food in winter (as well as, presumably, housing doves, kept for food, eggs and dung used as a fertiliser). 

The lyrical Avenue Bridge, designed by John Adam as a fitting approach to Dumfries House, had been damaged and the balustrade left in pieces in storage. That too has been beautifully restored. 

Small lochans flank the Arboretum, where some 500 trees from different parts of the world have been newly planted in an area that was formerly 'a boggy, marshy unkempt mess'. When it has grown up and matured, it will be wonderful. At its centre there's an octagonal woodland shelter, created in 2013 by students of The Prince's Foundation for Building Community. 

The Chinese Bridge across Lugar Water was sketched as a design in 1899 but only constructed during the recent restoration, a fusion of modern engineering and the regal appearance of the original 19th century design. 

Across the estate there are some magnificent trees, including a number of huge redwoods, whose massive trunks looked like they might have inspired a Henry Moore sculpture. 

Tomorrow we'll have a look at the Queen Elizabeth Garden.