29/06/2007 — National Heritage — Scotland — The fundraising drive to save Dumfries House and its furnishings ended successfully with the cancellation of the sale at Christie’s London for July 12th and 13th.
It had seemed a lost cause at the beginning as stated to us in late May by the director of Art Fund, David Barrie, who seemed to be rather pessimistic about the outcome. Fortunately, besides the £2.5 million contributed by this association, several very generous donations enabled the drive to reach the total of £45 million-and not £25 million as had been announced—needed to acquire the castle together with its furnishings. The decisive contribution came from Prince Charles who alone provided £20 million through his foundation The Prince’s Trust [1] allowing him, in everyone’s view, to save the day.
Dumfries House should be open to the public starting next year.