To support the campaign – please email Mike at mike.duguid026@googlemail.
Friends of Broughton House & Garden are asking locals, art lovers, gardeners and past visitors to help them keep Broughton House & Garden in Kirkcudbright open.
In response to Covid 19 the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) plans not to open around half its properties this summer, making the staff redundant. Broughton House, the home of artist and Glasgow Boy E A Hornel, is one of these earmarked to stay shut this year. This will mean redundancy for its four dedicated staff and specialist gardener, all of whom are desperate to see the property stay open.
Chair of The Friends of Broughton House and Garden, Mike Duguid says “As well as being a tragedy for the staff, closure will mean the NTS will lose a huge store of irreplaceable knowledge about the property and its priceless collection of paintings, artefacts and books – including one of the largest collections in the world of Robert Burns. Leaving the house closed greatly increases the risk of damage to the building and its precious collections. The plan to place the stunning garden into ‘minimum maintenance’ will lead to its deterioration. The garden is an absolute highlight of any visit and, as a living part of the property, it just will not be as special unless tended to the current standards.”
Broughton House is identified as the number one attraction in Kirkcudbright on Trip Advisor.
The town works hard to promote its art heritage and culture under ‘The Artists Town’ brand; there will be a real gap for visitors if the property is closed.
“We are asking people who would like to see the house open to send an email with PLEASE KEEP BROUGHTON HOUSE OPEN in the Subject line and their name and address in the message. We must show that people want Broughton House to stay open and properly maintained.
As volunteers, we have offered to assist the NTS and submitted proposals for achieving a reopening soon, so we really hope we can get the Trust to think again.” Mike explains.
Please support the campaign – email Mike at [email protected]
