Dunira, Perthshire
Encyclopedia
Durnira is an estate of about 350 hectares (864.9 acre) in Perthshire
, Scotland, about 3 miles (4.8 km) north-west of the town of Comrie
and about 25 miles (40 km) north-west of Stirling
. The estate is set against a backdrop of mountains, hills and rich lush lowland. Dunira was the home of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
, although the house he built was replaced in the 19th century. The replacement house burned down in 1948, although the estate is still active.
The politician Henry Dundas
(28 April 1742 – 28 May 1811) bought the 20000 acres (8,093.7 ha) estate in 1784. Dundas commissioned a design for a new house from architect Henry Holland
in 1798, although the house that was built between 1803 and 1808 was the work of William Stirling. The surrounding parkland was laid out by Dundas, possibly with input from Holland. In 1802, Dundas was elevated to the Peerage of the United Kingdom
as Viscount Melville
and Baron Dunira.
The estate was sold in in 1824 to Sir Robert Dundas of Beechwood. His son Sir David Dundas had the house, which flooded regularly, demolished and rebuilt to the design of William Burn
, who also constructed the terraces. In 1864, David Bryce
designed additions to the house. Dundas had established a pinetum by the late-19th century, and other improvements were made across the estate.
The Dundas family sold Dunira some time before 1920. The new owner, Mr W.G. Macbeth, commissioned Thomas Mawson, a landscape gardener, to redesign the gardens in the early 1920s. During the Second World War, the house was used as a military convalescent hospital. Most of the house was destroyed by a fire in 1948 leaving the office court standing. This was used as a residence until demolished in 2005. In 2000, the Thomas Mawson garden was partially restored as part of the Channel 4
television programme Lost Gardens.
, the national listing of historic parks, by Historic Scotland
in 1987.
The estate is currently used for shooting game, stalking
, fishing and golf with a variety of holiday accommodation and facilities for visitors but the estate is not open to general public access.
Perthshire
Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...
, Scotland, about 3 miles (4.8 km) north-west of the town of Comrie
Comrie
Comrie is an affluent village and parish in the southern highlands of Scotland, towards the western end of the Strathearn district of Perth and Kinross, seven miles west of Crieff. The village has won the Royal Horticultural Society "Large Village Britain in Bloom Winner" in 2007 and 2010...
and about 25 miles (40 km) north-west of Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
. The estate is set against a backdrop of mountains, hills and rich lush lowland. Dunira was the home of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville PC and Baron Dunira was a Scottish lawyer and politician. He was the first Secretary of State for War and the last person to be impeached in the United Kingdom....
, although the house he built was replaced in the 19th century. The replacement house burned down in 1948, although the estate is still active.
History
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville
Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville PC and Baron Dunira was a Scottish lawyer and politician. He was the first Secretary of State for War and the last person to be impeached in the United Kingdom....
(28 April 1742 – 28 May 1811) bought the 20000 acres (8,093.7 ha) estate in 1784. Dundas commissioned a design for a new house from architect Henry Holland
Henry Holland (architect)
Henry Holland was an architect to the English nobility. Born in Fulham, London, his father also Henry ran a building firm and he built several of Capability Brown's buildings, although Henry would have learnt a lot from his father about the practicalities of construction it was under Brown that he...
in 1798, although the house that was built between 1803 and 1808 was the work of William Stirling. The surrounding parkland was laid out by Dundas, possibly with input from Holland. In 1802, Dundas was elevated to the Peerage of the United Kingdom
Peerage of the United Kingdom
The Peerage of the United Kingdom comprises most peerages created in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland after the Act of Union in 1801, when it replaced the Peerage of Great Britain...
as Viscount Melville
Viscount Melville
Viscount Melville, of Melville in the County of Edinburgh, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1802 for the notable lawyer and politician Henry Dundas. He was made Baron Dunira, in the County of Perth, at the same time, also in the Peerage of the United Kingdom...
and Baron Dunira.
The estate was sold in in 1824 to Sir Robert Dundas of Beechwood. His son Sir David Dundas had the house, which flooded regularly, demolished and rebuilt to the design of William Burn
William Burn
William Burn was a Scottish architect, pioneer of the Scottish Baronial style.He was born in Edinburgh, the son of architect Robert Burn, and educated at the Royal High School. After training with the architect of the British Museum, Sir Robert Smirke, he returned to Edinburgh in 1812...
, who also constructed the terraces. In 1864, David Bryce
David Bryce
David Bryce FRSE FRIBA RSA was a Scottish architect. Born in Edinburgh, he was educated at the Royal High School and joined the office of architect William Burn in 1825, aged 22. By 1841, Bryce had risen to be Burn's partner...
designed additions to the house. Dundas had established a pinetum by the late-19th century, and other improvements were made across the estate.
The Dundas family sold Dunira some time before 1920. The new owner, Mr W.G. Macbeth, commissioned Thomas Mawson, a landscape gardener, to redesign the gardens in the early 1920s. During the Second World War, the house was used as a military convalescent hospital. Most of the house was destroyed by a fire in 1948 leaving the office court standing. This was used as a residence until demolished in 2005. In 2000, the Thomas Mawson garden was partially restored as part of the Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
television programme Lost Gardens.
Current status and use
The estate was listed on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in ScotlandInventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
The Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland is a listing of gardens and designed landscapes of national artistic and/or historical significance, in Scotland. The Inventory was originally compiled in 1987, although it is a continually evolving list...
, the national listing of historic parks, by Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland.-Role:As its website states:...
in 1987.
The estate is currently used for shooting game, stalking
Stalking
Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person and/or monitoring them via the internet...
, fishing and golf with a variety of holiday accommodation and facilities for visitors but the estate is not open to general public access.
External links
- Durira Estate official website
- Dunira by Comrie in Perthshire, Scotland: The local history of Dunira by Edward Rushworth