Was Dumfries House worth the
effort?
Back in May, James Knox, Chief Executive of The Art Newspaper,
wrote for The Scotsman in support of the campaign to save Dumfries House and its
historic contents from being sold:
“...At a moment when Scotland is so aware of Her achievements as a nation, Dumfries House should be cherished as an outstanding exemplar of Scottish genius. And yet, the future of this unique ensemble makes one want to weep. In a few short weeks, the great mirrors will be unscrewed from the walls where they have been fixed for almost 250 years and removed to London to be sold to the highest bidder?
...It has become something of a cliché that art can transform peoples’ lives. But with Dumfries House, this is most emphatically true. Everything must now be done to save this unique work of art.”
And indeed every effort was made and Dumfries house complete with furnishings, has now been secured for the nation.
Was it worth the cost and effort it took to secure the property? Surely it should be easier to save a house such as Dumfries – is this desperate eleventh hour rescue really necessary? Should there be better safeguards in place to preserve our cultural heritage, after all what are organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and the National Heritage Memorial Fund for?
The Scottish Executive gave a £5million grant – was this a good use of government money. What does it mean in terms of national pride?
How important do you think the house will be in terms of offering prospects for regeneration? Can it really ‘transform people’s lives?’
Add your voice to the debate...
Topic posted: 4 July 2007.
To post comments please login or register.