House of Dun, Montrose, United Kingdom

The Dun Estate was home to the Erskine (later Kennedy-Erskine) family from 1375 until 1980. John Erskine of Dun was a key figure in the Scottish Reformation. The current house was designed by William Adam and was finished in 1743. There is elaborate plaster-work by Joseph Enzer, principally and most elaborately in the saloon. The house replaced the original 14th century Tower House to the west when David Erskine, Lord Dun, the 13th Laird of Dun, an Edinburgh lawyer appointed Lord of Justiciary in 1710, wanted a more comfortable and prestigious home. He opposed the union.

It continued as the home to the Erskines for a further 250 years, undergoing some internal re-modeling when Lady Augusta Fitzclarence, natural daughter to William IV (previously the Duke of Clarence) and his long term mistress, Dora Jordan, married the Honourable John Kennedy Erskine, heir to the property through his mother Margaret Erskine of Dun. When they married they moved to the property and Augusta set about making several alterations, modernizing the property. The writer and poet Violet Jacob (1863 - 1946), author of 'Flemington' and 'Tales of Angus', was a member of the Kennedy-Erskine family and was born in the house. The last Laird of Dun was Mrs. Millicent Lovett. She moved out of the house to an estate house 'temporarily' in 1948, moving all the furnishings and artifacts up into the attic. The rest of the house was leased to a local farming family who ran it as a bed and breakfast establishment for many years.

Millicent never returned to the house and on her death in 1980 it was bequeathed by her to the National Trust for Scotland. The Trust discovered all the original furnishings in the attic and spent 9 years returning the house to the state it had been in at the time of Augusta. In 1989 the house opened to the public, the Queen Mother presiding to mark the tercentenary of William Adam's death.

The adjacent Montrose Basin nature reserve, part of the estuary of the South Esk, is also a National Trust for Scotland property.

References:

Wikipedia

Palaces, manors and town halls in United Kingdom

User Reviews

ARON Tivadar (2 years ago)
This beautiful house belongs to the National Trust of Scotland. The atmosphere of the place is adorable. That was one of the best guided walk that I have ever seen. The staff is very nice and professional. The house is like a time capsule all furniture is original. Don't forget to visit the small but beautiful garden. If you have time there are plenty of paths for a nice walk around the house. Playground next to the car park. The toilet is clean.

Ian Anderson (2 years ago)
Historic house and gardens, together with woodland walks. Very dog friendly, they are welcome in the grounds, gardens and cafés (where water and dog biscuits are forthcoming!). The formal gardens are beautifully kept and had loads of colour even into October when we visited.

Alison Beaton (2 years ago)
As members of the NTS we had a guided tour of the house. Our guide was very knowledgeable and also had a good sense of humour. The house was amazing with some beautiful views of the gardens and Montrose basin. After our tour we had soup and tea in the Cafe which was lovely before having a walk through the grounds on the various trails. Well worth a visit.

Andrew Robson (2 years ago)
Stashed away in the Angus countryside is this beauty. Period costume guides who are full of knowlege and humour,the inside was gorgeous and gives the illusion the place is bigger than it looks. Lots of history. Well worth a visit.

Marta Skorubska (2 years ago)
Absolutely beautiful place. From the beginning at the tickets office with a wonderful Ladie there , to the guided tour and another absolutely lovely and funny lady . Everything kept so good, nice and tidy. House is great definitely wart a visit, most of the furniture and all the decorations are oryginal. Gardens and wpodwalk are beautiful, toilets and coffee shops on site as well as a gift shop and plant sale .

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