Important heritage property is saved for the nation as sale attracts widespread interest

Our Edinburgh office was instrumental in the sale of Dumfries House and Estate in Ayrshire to a consortium of charitable and heritage organisations.

Built by John, Robert and James Adam, the house has one of the finest private collections of Chippendale furniture and the contents are of international importance. Savills was instructed jointly with Christie’s who were to hold a public auction of the contents in London. News of the sale attracted widespread public and press interest.

On the closing date, a bid of £45m was received from the consortium of charitable organisations brought together by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. This prevented the house and contents being split up and saved Dumfries House for the nation. Now the house and its contents will remain intact as a unique example of Georgian craftsmanship and will be enjoyed long into the future by a wider public. Dumfries House will open in 2008 following a programme of restoration work.

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