House of Dun

Slightly less than 4mi/6km outside Montrose stands a jewel among Georgian country houses. The House of Dun was built for Lord David Erskine between 1730 and 1742. Since 1989 it has been in the possession of the National Trust for Scotland. William Adam designed this two-story Palladian building in the style of the Château d'Issy near Paris. The Dutchman Joseph Enzer was responsible for the extravagant allegorical stuccowork in the Great Drawing Room. The Scottish lion and Mars (a reference to the earls of Mar, the king's sword-bearers) guard the Scottish regalia, flanked by national emblems serving as symbols of the "Auld Alliance" with France and the "Grand Alliance" or "Union of Crowns" with England. The Neo-baroque Dining Room (19th century) and the Flemish tapestries (17th century) in the Tapestry Room are of interest.

Demonstrations of traditional cloth weaving on old handlooms take place in the courtyard buildings.

The house features Joseph Enzer plasterwork and the courtyard buildings include a handloom weaving workshop and various displays. You will also find a walled garden and woodland walks.