Duff House out of council’s hands

DUFF House, the “premier outstation” of the National Galleries of Scotland, has been formally transferred to Historic Scotland.

Aberdeenshire Council completed the negotiations for the transfer of management of loss-making property yesterday.

The baroque former home of the Dukes of Fife in Banff was saved from ruin in 1992, when it was transformed into a palatial country house art gallery, operated under a three-way partnership between the National Galleries, which is responsible for the contents, Historic Scotland, which is responsible for the building, and the council, which was responsible for the day-to-day running of the attraction.

However, the cash-strapped council was subsidising the gallery by more than £300,000 a year and had proposed that Historic Scotland should take over the running of the facility, including staffing and opening responsibilities.

Colin Mackenzie, the chief executive of Aberdeenshire Council, said: “As Duff House announces the start of the new season, we are delighted to confirm the successful outcome of negotiations regarding the future operation of the venue.

“This exercise has been about a rebalancing of the partnership and Aberdeenshire Council will remain a very active partner in terms of support for Duff House.”