Gallery will switch to summer opening only

DUFF House, the "premier outstation" of the National Galleries of Scotland, will close its doors over the winter because of falling visitor numbers.

The William Adam-designed mansion on the outskirts of Banff, transformed 16 years ago from a near-derelict shell into a palatial country house art gallery, is to become a seasonal operation under proposals from Aberdeenshire Council to cut costs at the loss-making visitor attraction.

Duff House is operated in a three-way partnership involving the National Galleries, which is responsible for the paintings and other contents of the house, Historic Scotland, which is responsible for maintenance of the building, and Aberdeenshire Council, which operates the gallery day-to-day.

A council spokeswoman said yesterday: "Aberdeenshire Council will discuss proposals with employees this week.

"The proposals focus on an enhanced offering during the summer months, with visitors being guided round the house, providing a better opportunity for visitors to learn about the history of Duff House and the paintings that are on display from the national collection."

The spokeswoman explained: "The proposals also include a move into seasonal opening, which would result in the house being closed during the quiet winter months which, in recent years, has seen visitor numbers declining."

She said Duff House did not make enough money to cover its costs and the proposals would save the council 88,000 a year.

Six years ago a report to the council claimed that the mansion, the baroque former home of the Dukes of Fife, was struggling to attract sufficient visitor numbers because of a confusing and incoherent marketing strategy.