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Angus

House of Dun

A Georgian house by William Adam above Montrose Basin, built for the Erskines of Dun over thirteen years from 1730, with fine plasterwork and walled gardens.

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Welcome

On a rise above Montrose Basin, looking out over the tidal flats towards the sea, stands a square Georgian house of pale sandstone with a grand arched doorway.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

The House of Dun was designed by William Adam for David Erskine, the 13th Laird of Dun, loosely modelled on the Chateau d'Issy near Paris; work began in 1730 and took some thirteen years.

Inside, the saloon is the glory of the house, its walls and ceiling covered in rich and elaborate plasterwork, finished in 1743, and the rooms are furnished as a family home of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Around the house are courtyards of old stone offices, a formal parterre of clipped box and a long walled garden, and walks lead through woods of great conifers.

The National Trust for Scotland looks after the house, which opens from spring to autumn; the garden and estate are open all year.

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The Daily for 8 November, from Scotland with love. An ivy-covered ruined tower stands on a small headland across the loch, autumn hills rising behind it through a screen of green leaves.
Before you go

The garden and estate are open all year from nine until dusk.

The house opens from late March to October, every day in July and August and Wednesday to Sunday in spring and autumn.

Where
Off the A935 between Montrose and Brechin.
Run by
The National Trust for Scotland.

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Did you know

A Victorian bathing machine on wheels, labelled "Lander", stands on a lawn with a set of iron steps leading up to its open door.
Did you know

Thirteen years in the making.

The house was begun in 1730 and took some thirteen years to finish.

A gravel path lined with stone pillars topped by topiary balls runs between clipped box hedges and a high stone wall.
Did you know

A French model.

William Adam loosely based his design on the Chateau d'Issy near Paris.

A grand red sandstone mansion with a decorated pediment rises behind clipped hedges, stone steps leading up to its entrance.
Did you know

Left to the nation.

The last of the family, Mrs Lovett, left the house and its estate to the National Trust for Scotland in 1980.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Angus

On a rise above Montrose Basin stands a square Georgian house of pale sandstone with a grand arched doorway. William Adam designed it for David Erskine, the 13th Laird of Dun, and building began in 1730. The saloon is the glory of the house, its walls and ceiling covered in rich plasterwork finished in 1743. The poet Violet Jacob grew up here. Outside there are old stone courtyards, a parterre of clipped box, a long walled garden and woodland walks among great conifers. The National Trust for Scotland looks after it, and the gardens and estate are open all year.

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Where it is

Above Montrose Basin, halfway between Montrose and Brechin.

Close byMontrose Basin.
  1. Bridge of DunBridge of DunA three-arched bridge of 1787 over the South Esk.1 mile 5 min by road
  2. Rusted boat rests beneath the brick arches of a river viaductMontrose Basin2 miles 5 min by road
  3. The stone steading at Charleton Farm on a sunny morning, with planters made from old fruit crates in front of the cafe and the farm shop door at the far end.Charleton Farm3 miles as the crow flies
  4. RAF Tornado ZD744 stored in a hangar with squadron crests on the wallMontrose Air Station MuseumBritain's first operational military airfield, 1913.4 miles 8 min by road
  5. Tables and shelves of books in Ink & Quill, Montrose.Ink & Quill Bookshop4 miles 9 min by road
  6. The stone buildings and pagoda-roofed kiln of Glencadam Distillery, Brechin.Glencadam DistilleryA Brechin distillery since 1825.5 miles 11 min by road
Directions
AttractionsMontrose Playhouse3.8 miles
The painted front of the Funky Wee Teapot ceramic painting studio in Montrose.CafeThe Funky Wee Teapot3.8 miles
The shopfront of Lilybank Bakehouse on Montrose High Street.CafeLilybank Bakehouse3.9 miles
The window of Tomorrow Is Another Day on George Street, Montrose.CafeTomorrow Is Another Day3.9 miles
Restaurant tables laid with cutlery beneath hanging plants, overlooking coastal dunes at duskRestaurantsRoo's Leap4.1 miles
Two golfers on a coastal tee, one mid-swing overlooking a sandy bayAttractionsMontrose Golf Links4.1 miles
Black Labrador carrying a stick across a bowling green near a pavilionShoppingThe Flower Pavilion4.4 miles
The River South Esk running clear over rocks between wooded banks.AttractionsRiver South Esk4.7 miles
The green and cream station building of the Caledonian Railway at Brechin.AttractionsCaledonian Railway5.0 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the house, and when each is next free.

A stone cottage with dormer windows stands behind a low pale blue gate, a bare-branched arch over the path to the front door and frost on the lawn.Gamekeeper’s Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 16 miles from the House of Dun
Free 10–11 NovA stone cottage with a slated roof and black stove pipe sits beside a gravel drive, foxgloves and wildflowers lining the path.No 4 Steading Cottage
  • Sleeps 7
  • In Strachan
  • 16 miles from the House of Dun
Free 12–13 NovA green sitting room with a blue sofa, a leather and sheepskin armchair and a rustic coffee table before a tall window with red curtains, looking out to pine forest and a valley.The Hay Loft at Glendye
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 16 miles from the House of Dun
Free 16–17 NovA stone steading with a slated pyramid roof and a chimney stands behind a green nameplate sign, a chair visible through the window.No 2 Steading Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 16 miles from the House of Dun
Free 12–13 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AngusAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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What we have written about it and more in Angus.

From the magazineThe Best of AngusArticleThings to do in Dundee and Angus
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .