On a recent visit to Broughton House,Kirkcudbright 18th-century Georgian home of Scottish painter E A. Hornel, Emma Harper MSP for South of Scotland was delighted to discover a whole spectrum of culture, spanning from Dumfries and Galloway to Japan and taking in art, literature, horticulture and music.
The House has undergone sympathetic restoration, which gives an excellent impression of Hornel’s life in the 1930s, while the Japanese styled gardens looking out over the River Dee provide inspiration for any budding artist.
Emma said: “I’m stunned by how much Broughton has on offer – from the wonderful collection of Robert Burns to the sumptuous gallery which is not only a fantastic room in itself, but hung with Hornel’s works it plays host to events and functions, including recently breathing life back into Macmath’s long-forgotten music.
“The library is remarkable, not only due to the Burn’s Collection but also the wealth of local knowledge it has. I’m aware that volunteer librarians are working on cataloguing it, and I’m certain that it will become an excellent resource for Broughton, Kirkcudbright, the Burns movement and the region as a whole. I was particularly delighted to be able to handle the 1786 Kilmarnock Edition of Burns’ work.
“I must thank Mike Duguid for showing me around; his knowledge and enthusiasm for everything in the house and gardens is both inspirational and contagious. I look forward to coming back when Broughton re-opens next year and seeing the garden in bloom.”
Broughton House and Garden is a National Trust for Scotland property which can be found at High Street, Kirkcudbright DG6 4JX, and is open 25 March to 31 October, daily 12.00-17.00 (last entry 16.30pm);
The House will close on 31 October 2016 and remain closed until 1 April 2017, except for function and event bookings.
The Garden will close on 31 October 2016 and re-open on 1 Feb 2017 until 31 March 2017, 11am – 4pm Monday to Friday, no admission charge but garden donations welcome.
House and Garden both open for the 2017 season from 1st April, same hours as 2016.
