A princely PLAN

When Scotland’s Dumfries House was put up for sale it was nearly lost to the nation – until it became the personal project of HRH Prince Charles

- JANICE HOPPER

Dumfries House, nestled in rural Ayrshire, is a special place. Its jewel-bright rooms hold a precious collection of the furniture of Thomas Chippendale, the acclaimed 18th-century cabinet-maker best known for his mid-Georgian, English Rococo and Neoclassical styles. There are around 600 authenticated Chippendale pieces in the world, with 59 alone within Dumfries House.

Today the house is one of Britain’s loveliest stately homes, and a top Scottish visitor attraction – but not long ago, the estate was nearly lost to the British public for good.

In 2007 Dumfries House and its grounds were up for sale. Its outstanding collection of furniture was to be scattered, with items sold off to the highest bidder. Bodies such as the National Trust for Scotland had been approached but simply couldn’t take the house on. The collection and estate needed a modern-day knight in shining armour – or a prince – to come to the rescue. Lo and behold, at the eleventh hour, a prince did indeed save the day.

HRH Prince Charles stepped in, promising £20 million from his charitable foundation and personally brokering a £45 million deal to secure the estate, the house and its rich interiors. Work began immediately to reveal the precious contents of this private property to the public for the first time.