Scotland's largest heritage project underway at 'Culzean of the East'

Work has begun on creating the ‘Culzean of the east’ as National Trust for Scotland’s embarks on its biggest project of 2021.

Caroline Graham-Watson and Jason Robertson, NTS Visitor Services Manager for Angus, at House of Dun near Montrose. Caroline’s grandmother, Lady Maitland of Burnside, created the Angus Folk Museum which will be housed at the 793 acre estate.

House of Dun near Montrose, an 18th Century Adam-designed house set in stunning woodland and gardens, is to be be upgraded for visitors.

A new heritage park will tell hundreds of years of history at the prime Angus site, which overlooks Montrose Basin, and share the story of the landscape and the people – from the aristocrat to the farm hand - who called it home.

House of Dun will also become the new home for the Angus Folk Museum after its collection was moved from its base at Glamis given the poor conditon of the building.

It is hoped the upgrade will firmly place House of Dun on the east coast heritage and culture trail, which includes V&A Dundee and the new Aberdeen Art Gallery.

Phil Long, chief executive of National Trust for Scotland said: “It is with enormous pleasure that we’re finally able to begin work on House of Dun.

"In terms of scale and ambition it’s the largest project that we’re embarking on this year and I’m sure that when we open the gates for the first time this summer that visitors from near and far will be impressed by what it has to offer.

“Its reopening will no doubt contribute to the growing interest in the east coast of Scotland as a destination for visitors created by other important cultural landmarks such as V&A Dundee, the newly expanded Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museum, and nearby Glamis Castle and Hospitalfield House.

“More than any other property it will bring together everything that the Trust does. House of Dun presents wealth and extravagance alongside agricultural toil, with both as important as the other to the story of Scotland.

"This place is as much about the manicured, ornamental gardens that surround the Georgian house as it is Montrose Basin Nature Reserve and its abundance of wildlife. We love this place and we hope to shine a new light on a hidden gem.”

The House of Dun was designed by William Adam for the 13th Laird, David Erskine, a judge of the Court of Session, and was built in 1743 to replace the medieval tower house which had been home to the Erskine family since 1375.

The property is set in gardens - laid out by the daughter of William IV, Lady Augusta Fitzclarence.

The large estate includes the Old Dun Kirk – once visited by John Knox - Erskine Mausoleum, the Montrose Basin Nature Reserve and a two-mile stretch of the River Esk.

NTS said it wanted the House of Dun to become “the Culzean of the east” following the transformation of the 793-acre estate.

Subjects from the Declaration of Arbroath to the Jacobites will be covered in new displays at the property with new cafes and shops set to improve the experience for visitors.

The £714,000 project is made possible thanks to the legacy of Dr Sheila Bain, who had links to Angus; members of the National Trust for Scotland’s Patrons’ Club, Angus Members Centre, and other generous donors who prefer to remain anonymous.

Work on the project was delayed due to Covid-19 but is expected to open to the public in mid-June of this year.

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