Dumfries House has extensive gardens and grounds. These had fallen into disuse but have been under reconstruction since the then Prince of Wales took interest in the Estate.

Belvedere from garden:-

Flowerpot Men:-

Fountains:-

The John Adam Bridge was not the first I saw at Dumfries House. This pedestrian bridge crosses the Polcalk Burn near the Café and Shop:-

Thee’s also an elegant Chinese Bridge; here seen from the John Adam Bridge:-

Closer view of Chinese Bridge:-

The grounds of Dumfries House contain at least three bridges (over the Lugar Water.)

This one was designed by John Adam:-

Reverse view:-

Approach to Bridge:-

Adam Bridge seen from Chinese Bridge:-

Dumfries House, whose last private owner was the racing driver Johnny Dumfries (John Crichton Stuart, the 7th Marquess of Bute,)  was about to be sold off along with its contents and those contents scattered to the world when Prince Charles – as the King was then – was instrumental in saving it for the nation.

Since then the estate has become a centre for employment – it’s the second biggest employer in East Ayrshire after the Council – and opportunities for young people and others to learn skills and set up enterprises.

Since we were going to be in the area last October we took the opportunity to visit the house and its grounds.

Our first view of the house was from the rear as that’s the bit nearest the car park:

House frontage:-

Closer view:-

The interior is worth seeing with many expensive items of furniture including a Chippendale display cabinet (the guide called it  a bookcase, though.)

The grounds have some quirky architecture, among them a Belvedere:-

Steps leading to Belvedere:-

Belvedere:-

Cute house in the kitchen garden:-

Pagoda (for rest) at end of garden path:-

There was also a pagoda structure inside the maze (which we didn’t enter):-