House of Dun, near Montrose
THE House of Dun reopened this summer after a major project by the National Trust for Scotland to tell even more Angus stories.
This stunning Georgian mansion now offers tours from costumed guides inspired by former residents who bring the past to life.
Renovations included the creation of a new home for the Angus Folk Collection. Set in the redeveloped stables, it was officially opened by the Duke of Rothesay earlier this month.
The estate, near Montrose, has glorious gardens and woodlands and a fantastic view out over the Montrose Basin.
Jason Robertson, visitor services manager, has hand-picked some highlights to watch out for on your next visit.
If you’ve loved dramas such as Gosford Park or Downton Abbey, the complex life of the servants is sure to be of interest. The installation of bells at the House of Dun was designed to assist with the running of the place – each room has a bell with a unique sound.
Jason wonders how the servants kept up with the complex system: ‘The question that fascinates me is, how long did you have to work here before you knew which bell was ringing without checking the label beneath it?
‘The bell would have stopped ringing before you got to the kitchen to check, so you had to know the sound. In total there are 20 different bells and 20 different sounds. The staff would have been expected to know every one of them.’
Other items can tell us more about the family who owned the house. Jason particularly likes the resident parrot, who was so loved that when he died the family had him stuffed and mounted.
‘Next to the parrot you will see a photograph of Lady Augusta’s daughter holding it, and that’s a beautiful link to the past. It allows you to put a face to the owner and to see what the parrot meant to her. The picture shows that this wasn’t a trophy, it was a memorial to a part of the family that they wanted to remember.’
These are just a couple of the unique objects on display. Each one has a story to it. There’s plenty more to discover – from a harpoon gun to a penny farthing bicycle. As Jason notes: ‘The roads weren’t in fantastic condition back then and you have to wonder how they managed to cycle without falling off. It’s a great, fun item and really makes me smile.’ Step back in time with a visit to this Georgian gem. We look forward to welcoming you to the House of Dun.
Visit our website for more information, www.nts.org.uk