What’s On – September 2019

Until 29th:  Exhibition: “Romantic Scotland”

This major Exhibition brings together treasures from the National Gallery of Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland, to contrast the romantic depictions of Scotland’s landscapes created by artists and writers in the 19th century with the reality of ordinary life.  Includes works by Sir John Lavery, Patrick Nasmyth, and Sir James Guthrie; dramatic landscapes continue to shape perceptions of Scotland, and stunning early photography and historic objects reframe these works in their historical contexts.  On both 2nd and 3rd floors, entry included in House admission.

 

Sun 1st Sep:  A Day Out at Duff House   

Enjoy a cultural day:

12.00  Guided tour for an hour around the inside of Duff House – followed by lunch?

13.45  Guided tour for an hour or so through the woods including inside the Mausoleum (weather permitting).  Includes local history and Duff family stories as well as some flora and fauna.

15.00  Piano recital in the Grand Salon (until 15.45) followed by tea?

All except lunch and tea are included in normal House admission.  Book your place on the tours (max 12) by calling 01261 818181 or take a chance on the day.

 

Sun 15th Sep:  Doors Open Day – Mausoleum  10am to 4pm

Friends of Duff House are opening the 1792 Duff family Mausoleum, as part of the Doors Open Day event throughout Aberdeenshire, so that people can see inside for free, feel the peace of the place, and if they want, learn it’s history and it’s unique features.  An information leaflet will be available.  It is about a mile walk; disabled parking only at the site, and only 2 spaces; NB there are 3 steps to get inside.  Please park at one of the several car parks near Duff House and enjoy the marked walk through the beautiful woodland.  Nearest loos are at Duff House and its adjacent playing fields.

 

Study Days  19th repeated 20th Sep  09.30 – 16.30

The theme for this year’s Study Days is “Landscapes around Duff House 1770 to Today”.  The Study Days will look at Duff House and its landscape setting, and how it is shown and shaped through art, travel and landscape design.  The Study Days explore a wide-ranging chronology of views on landscape: from the 2nd Earl’s desire to keep idle people and cattle from walking through his grounds, to artistic and poetic accounts of the picturesque beauties of Banff, and, finally, contemporary interpretations of the landscape and ‘walking-as-art’. The conference also raises questions about the implications of climate change for historic, designed landscapes.

Tickets are available both on-line (historicenvironment.scot/whats-on) and at Duff House.  £15 non-members, £13.50 HES members and concessions.  Coffee, lunch and tea included.  6 illustrated lectures by experts, live drawing to music and words, and a “performance walk”.