Duff House, Banff (Aberdeenshire)

Magnificent early Georgian mansion designed by William Adam for the Earl of Fife.

Summary

Gift shop
Free car parking (on site)

Food and Drinks

Restaurant
Picnic area

Introduction

A magnificent early Georgian mansion, designed by William Adam for the Earl of Fife, is now open as a Country House Gallery of the National Galleries of Scotland.

Duff House is a treasure house and cultural arts centre operated by a unique partnership of Historic Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council. Story-tellers, musicians and artists are at home here and Duff House organises a regular artistic programme of exhibitions, music and lectures.

History to the present day

Duff House was designed by William Adam and built between 1735 and 1740 as the seat of the Earls Fife. There have been an astonishing variety of occupants and visitors to the House over the two and half centuries since it was built. There were the Duffs themselves, an ambitious family who acquired great wealth, power and status but were seldom lucky in love. One unhappy Countess Fife even attempted to murder her husband within the walls of Duff House! An army of servants kept the House and policies running smoothly, and in the twentieth century Duff House was in turn a palm court hotel, a sanatorium and a prisoner of war camp. Opened as a country house gallery after extensive restoration in 1995, Duff House now enjoys 5-star visitor attraction status from Aberdeen & Grampian Tourist Board.

Food and Drinks

Located on the ground floor of the House the Tearoom was formerly the Housekeeper’s Room. There is no admission fee to the ground floor. Relax and enjoy delicious home-made soup and freshly made sandwiches; and choose one of our legendary homebakes to accompany morning coffee or afternoon tea. High chairs are available for our younger visitors.

Grounds and gardens

The grounds are open all year round and are completely free. Bring the kids along to enjoy the play park and assault course. Dogs on a lead are very welcome. Please remember to clean up after your pet.

The stunning Woodland Walks are suitable for those who are happy to meander on a pleasant day, or for the fitter walker looking for a four-mile hike. Free maps, available in the Duff House Shop, show places of interest through the woods and provide directions to the Bridge of Alvah.

The 2nd Earl developed the park in a naturalistic style in the manner of ‘Capability Brown’. The River Deveron was the key to the evolution of a design which embraces rugged scenery upstream, where the valley narrows in a deep chasm, spanned by the Bridge of Alvah built in 1772.

An impression of the former charms of the park is readily gained by following the main path which is signposted. Pass between the gate-piers and it becomes obvious that the path is along a terrace with views down to the river below. In spring this walk is thickly carpeted with snowdrops. The walk passes the ice-house and then leads to the 2nd Earl Fife’s gothic-style mausoleum built in 1793 to receive the mortal remains of the Duff dynasty. From the main path smaller pathways branch off to thread their way up and down the river bank. By remaining on the main path the visitor will reach a local beauty spot, the Bridge of Alvah which spans a dramatic gorge with rocky crags and deep pools.

Other facilities

Created in the Country House style the permanent collection contains paintings and furniture in the care of the National Galleries of Scotland. Visitors can browse at their leisure and enjoy furniture, including chairs by Chippendale, tapestries, and old masters by artists such as Sir Henry Raeburn and El Greco.

From the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh the additions to the permanent collection of Duff House are by the famous English artist Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788). The paintings are companion portraits of Robert Thistlethwayte and his wealthy cousin and bride Selina Frederick, Mrs Robert Thistlethwayte. Robert was the eldest son of the Revd Robert Thistlethwayte of Southwick Park in Hampshire. Selina was the daughter and co-heiress of Sir Thomas Frederick and owned most of the Paddington area of London.

The Dunimarle Library was collected by the Erskines of Torrie in the latter half of the 18th century and the early part of the 19th century. It is now held at Duff House and is open to researchers by appointment only.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Duff House, Banff, Aberdeenshire, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

1 April - 31 October: Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 11.00am to 5.00pm
1 November - 31 March: Thu Fri Sat Sun 11.00am to 4.00pm

Closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day & 1-2 January.

Admission to Galleries:

Adult £6.20, Concession £5.20, Family £16.70

Admission to Shop and Tearoom on the ground floor is free.