After sustained lobbying by The Friends, supporters and NTS regional management, The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has decided to re-open Broughton House & Garden in Kirkcudbright. The home and garden of artist E A Hornel had been earmarked for an extended closure as part of the Trust’s Covid recovery plan.
‘We are delighted to report that the NTS has decided to re-open the garden from Thursday of this week. The house will re-open at weekends for the rest of the season from early September. It’s great news for the town and for visitors’ explained Mike Duguid, Chair of The Friends of Broughton House & Garden. ‘A massive thank you to everyone who supported the campaign. It’s been really heartening to see how much this place means to people’.
Broughton House is a key part of the visitor offer in Kirkcudbright, known as ‘The Artists Town’. The painter E A Hornel spent his life in Kirkcudbright, attracting artist friends and followers to visit. An artists colony developed and summer schools flourished as a result. The Broughton House and Garden reflect Hornel’s lifetime of creativity, collecting and curating his loves – art, literature and plants. The property is also well loved by the community, hosting a range of events over the winter.
As part of the revised NTS plans for the property long term gardener, Mike Jack, is retained. Two new permanent posts created in the house which the previous team members are invited to apply for.
