Events marquee could be moved at King Charles III-owned Dumfries House

A marquee at The King Charles III-owned Dumfries House could be moved under new proposals to help sustain the income stream of corporate events and weddings, held at the historic home.

Plans have been submitted to East Ayrshire Council, seeking permission to dismantle and re-erect the existing temporary marquee in a “different location.”

The agents in the proposals are Simpson & Brown Architects and the applicant is Gwilym Evans, of The King’s Foundation. They want to move the current marquee on the lawn to the north of the existing site.

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The architects say that this would be a period of “temporary operation” that will “sustain" the events business at Dumfries House while work is on-going to “refine an appropriate design” for a "complex new building" on a “very challenging, sensitive site.”

In a supporting statement the agents said: “Dumfries House, the first commission of the renowned 18th century architect Robert Adam, sits in 2000 acres of parkland in East Ayrshire, Scotland. Since the opening to the public of Dumfries House Estate in 2008, The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust, now The King’s Foundation, has had the aim of using the house and wider estate to help regenerate and boost the local economy.

Dumfries House has become a significant visitor attraction in the south of Scotland and the various activities on the estate and now employ more than 150 people.”

The statement continues: “Dumfries House has also become a successful wedding venue. In 2011, following repair and alteration of the house and outbuildings to provide visitor facilities and an improved visitor experience, a temporary marquee was erected to the northeast of the main house, set behind the East Wing and pavilion, to allow larger events to be accommodated.

“In spite of its size, Dumfries House has always lacked a large banqueting space. The larger reception rooms, such as the Tapestry Room and Rothesay Room, have occupancy limits which would permit no more than 100 guests at an event. The marquee accommodates upwards of 150 dinner guests and relieves pressure on the house.

“The majority of those employed at Dumfries House are involved in the hospitality sector. Event hosting is vitally important to the survival of all that goes on within Dumfries House Estate and farther afield, where the Foundation are leading local regeneration projects and community initiatives.

“Income generated by wedding and corporate event hosting is essential to the day to day running of the Estate and the wide range of educational programmes that run throughout the year.”

The statement adds: “The local authority and Historic Environment Scotland have acknowledged that the marquee pavilion is a necessary component within the Dumfries House operation. However, it has always been understood that this is a temporary solution to a difficult problem. This period of temporary operation will sustain the events business while work is on-going to refine an appropriate design for this complex new building on a very challenging, sensitive site.”

A decision on the planning proposals is expected after Christmas.