House of Dun & Angus Folk Museum

Designed with Georgian pride and baroque extravagance by architect William Adam, House of Dun is an exquisite property commissioned for the Erskine Lairds of Dun that was completed in 1743.

Nestled within a vast and verdant Angus estate, featuring formal gardens and magnificent trees, the elegant house commands unparalleled views over the Montrose Basin and Nature Reserve where visitors can witness the unforgettable sight of thousands of pink-footed geese flying in formation towards their seasonal resting place. This is a landscape that inspires literature; House of Dun was home to the writer Violet Jacob (1863-1946) who became famous for her novels and poems written in the Scots language including ‘Flemington’ and ‘Songs of Angus’.

The breath-taking decoration in the Saloon features masterful plasterwork by Joseph Enzer. Classical tableaux and family emblems around the walls and ceilings feature discreet Jacobite symbols in this graceful room designed for dancing. Throughout the house, hand-stitched embroidery by Lady Augusta FitzClarence (1803-1865) are equally impressive. Lady Augusta, as a daughter of King William IV and Irish actress Dorothea Jordan, signifies the royal connections at this fascinating home. Costumed guides will regale you with stories of life in the house – upstairs and downstairs.

The welcoming courtyard is at the heart of House of Dun and provides a new home for the Angus Folk Collection. The courtyard buildings have been transformed into an exciting new visitor experience, celebrating the people of Angus and bringing their stories to life. Curious tools and materials demonstrate tradition and innovation in farming, decorative ceramics show evidence of trade with Baltic ports; the collection serves as an important reminder of the rich agricultural heritage and social history of the region.

Lady Augusta’s Walk leads to woodland trails all around the estate that are a haven for biodiversity, home to otters, roe deer and red squirrels. The Children’s Playpark makes House of Dun the perfect place to visit for all the family.

Don’t Miss:

• The Erskine Mausoleum, set within a small and charming cemetery, is the resting place of many of the Erskine family and several members of the Dun parish

• Medieval remains of the original 14th-century Dun Castle have largely vanished, apart from an impressive stone archway in the West Walled garden

Did you know:

• The enigmatic mound that can be seen at the entrance to the estate is known as Gallows Knowe, believed to have been a neo-lithic burial site of significant importance.