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House of Dun Teacher’s information

For more information, visit www.ntslearning.org.uk The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC 007410 and depends for its support on the subscriptions of its members, donations and legacies. Copyright © 2011 the National Trust for Scotland.

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House of Dun is a fine Georgian house overlooking the Montrose Basin. It was designed by William Adam in 1730 for David Erskine, Lord Dun, a judge of the Scottish Court of Session. Superb examples of contemporary plasterwork by Joseph Enzer survive. In 1824, Margaret Erskine, wife of 12th Earl of Cassillis (later, 1st Marquess of Ailsa) inherited Dun. The estate was passed to her younger son, John, who adopted the name of Kennedy Erskine. He married Augusta Fitzclarence in 1827 but died in 1831, leaving his widow with three young children. Lady Augusta was the natural daughter of William IV and Mrs Jordan, and the house contains royal mementoes of that period and also many examples of her fine needlework. A collection of family portraits include those of the Kennedy-Erskine children. As well as the lovely Georgian interiors, visitors can explore the servants’ rooms below. The house also contains a display of puppet theatres. The Courtyard buildings include a handloom weaving workshop. The walled garden has been largely restored to the late Victorian period and includes many plants typical of the 1880s. There are several woodland walks, and visitors may also walk to the Montrose Basin (which is a National Nature Reserve). A school visit offers opportunities for cross-curricular work and engaging with the Curriculum for Excellence:

• A tour of the House of Dun led by NTS staff. • We have a flexible approach and are happy to adapt tours to your pupils’ requirements (please

arrange when booking). Suggested tours: Living in an 18th Century Country House; Servants and the Gentry; the Hutchison Art Collection.

• Your pupils may explore the grounds: courtyard, walled garden, historic sites and estate (teacher led).

• A Day Visit: book a guided tour of the House of Dun (NTS staff led) – and walk to the Montrose Basin NNR (teacher led).

Resources for schools: • An illustrated guide book (on sale at the House of Dun and also in the NTS online shop -

http://www.nts.org.uk/Shop/Product/1315/ ). • Film about the House of Dun and the Kennedy-Erskine family. • The Hutchison Art Collection - this the finest collection of Scottish colourist paintings outwith a

national gallery - recommended for all pupils studying art.



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Planning your Visit: • To book: please contact the House of Dun for a booking form. • Book well in advance to avoid disappointment. • Maximum number: up to 40 pupils, with a ratio of 1 teacher/adult to 10 pupils, may visit the house. • Access: The ground floor and basement rooms of the house are fully accessible but we regret that the

first floor is not accessible to wheelchair users. There is a virtual tour of the House of Dun on the NTS Learn website. To view it visit http://www.nts.org.uk/Learn/virtual_dun.php

• Access: We want to ensure that everyone gets the most from their visit – so do please contact us to discuss your requirements. We will do our utmost to accommodate you.

• Toilets: there are fully accessible toilets in the Courtyard. • Refreshments: There is a café and pupils are welcome to use this. Your class is also welcome to picnic

in the garden. There is no wet weather area. • Clothing: if you plan to visit the grounds and/or Montrose Basin, clothing should be appropriate for

outdoors. • The site has been risk assessed. Teachers should prepare their own RA for the visit. • There is more information about planning a visit to a Trust site on the NTS Learn website:

www.nts.org.uk/Learn/schools_plan.php • For more information about the House of Dun, please go to our web pages:

www.nts.org.uk/Property/House-Of-Dun-Montrose-Basin-Nature-Reserve/About/

Charges: • Within the season, normal opening hours: no admission charge for schools with NTS educational

membership. • Non-members are welcome but there is an admission charge of £2 per pupil. • For schools visiting outwith the season/normal opening hours: there is a charge of £2 per pupil, to help

cover costs, for schools with NTS educational membership. For schools without membership, the charge is £3 per pupil. Find out more about NTS educational membership at http://www.nts.org.uk/Learn/schools_membership.php

• Accompanying adults are admitted free. • All class teachers are encouraged to make a free preparatory visit to the site. • Membership: please apply to the House of Dun – or go to the NTS Learn website:

www.nts.org.uk/Learn/schools_membership.php During your class visit: • The House of Dun is available all year round for school tours (but see above regarding charges). • A class will be split into 2 groups for house tours (up 15-20 pupils per group) • A house tour lasts 1 hour. If exploring the grounds, allow at least 2 hours for your visit. Add a teacher-

led walk to Montrose Basin NNR for a whole day visit. • Teachers are responsible for pupils and their behaviour. • There is no photography within the House of Dun – but photos can be taken in the grounds. • Coats and bags can be left in the cloakroom. • Pupils are welcome to visit the shop in small groups and with teacher supervision – outwith the season,

a schools retail table will be available (please let staff know if this is required when booking your visit). • On arrival, please report to the reception desk within the house.



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Getting to House of Dun: • The House of Dun is 3 miles from Montrose, and 5 miles from Brechin. From Aberdeen or Dundee,

travel on the A90 and take the turn-off for Brechin, then follow the signs for Montrose. The House of Dun is signposted. Visit http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/House-Of-Dun-Montrose-Basin-Nature-Reserve/Getting-there/ for more information.

• There is a parking for coaches within the grounds. For more information and a booking form, please contact the property manager: Property Manager, House Of Dun & Montrose Basin Nature Reserve, Montrose, Angus DD10 9LQ Telephone : 0844 493 2144 Email: [email protected]

house of dun - nts.org.uk€¦ · • a tour of the house of dun led by nts staff. ... • an...

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