UPCOMING DUFF HOUSE RELATED EVENTS:
Sunday 27th July “Marking the Memory” 10.15am & 2.15pm FREE at Duff House
A “two-off” event! Reflecting the bombing of Duff House on 22nd July 1940. Entry to this event is FREE and will last about 2 hours. In the Grand Salon, listen to the wonderful pianist, Alan Nairn, play wartime pieces on the grand piano, interspersed with readings reflecting the bombing incident. Be shown around the 1939-45 Exhibition in the Long Gallery, and then a tour outside the House, noting the signs still showing from the war and the unique memorial. No need to book, just turn up ready for either 10.15 or 14.15.
Sunday 3rd August “Duff House Woods Walk” 2pm, meet at the front of Duff House
Enjoy a pleasant round trip walk through the woods for about an hour to hour and a half, with a guide to inform you about many of the features, natural and historic; the woods that used to have every tree known in the UK (and still has many of them), hear interesting stories, and visit inside the Mausoleum with it’s unique features. Please be dressed, including footwear, ready for the weather!
Sunday 17th August FIESTA 1.30pm to 5pm Banff Castle FREE entry
Banff has had a 201 year relationship with Argentina, and after last years Bicentenary, this 201st year, particularly in Buenos Aires, sees many more celebrations for related historical events. Come along to Banff Castle and enjoy lots of activities in celebration of the remarkable friendship. One slightly more solemn event will be a memorial speech and the laying of flowers remembering General San Martín who died on this day in 1850. There will be Brass Bands, Pipers, Walking Tour, an exhibition for those that would like to learn more of the enduring friendship and it’s history (which will reveal a bit of the new research that has been carried out), face painting, simple children’s games, Argentine ice creams, South American empanadas and more, and at 4pm an illustrated Talk by an acclaimed author and presenter about the last few years of the “Hero” that visited Banff in 1824.
This event is organised by the Scottish Branch of the British San Martín Institute, in cooperation with Banff Castle and Friends of Duff House.
Ongoing – all until Sunday 24th August:
Exhibition: “Private Landscapes” – on the 2nd floor – showing some of the works of local artist George Wilson (1848-90);
Exhibition: “Duff House 1939-45” – in the Long Gallery – tells many stories of the war, several of which have not been previously shared;
Work in Focus: “Berenice” by Henri Martin. On loan from the National Galleries of Scotland this portrait is probably of Marie-Charlotte, the artist’s wife, inspired by a short story of Edgar Allan Poe.
From Thurs 4th Sept:
Exhibition: “The Eagle and the Unicorn” – in the Long Gallery – telling the remarkable stories behind many Poles having to flee their home country and forming a community around Banff at the end of WW2; another Life of Duff House.
Duff House is both an Historic Environment Scotland managed fully furnished period Country House and part of the National Galleries of Scotland with an extensive collection. Tel: 01261 818181.
Summer opening hours to 30th Sep: Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun only, 10-12.30; 13.15 to 4.30pm, last entry 3.30pm;
Winter opening hours: 1st Oct to 31st Mar: Fri, Sat & Sun; 10am to 3pm (last entry 2pm)
HES members free entry. Admission fee applicable except to shop and toilets.
Disabled access to all floors.