The Prince’s Foundation has lodged a planning application to convert the cottage into a two-bedroom residence for use by two artists as it expands capacity for its Artists In Residence programme. The remains of an adjacent old stone barn will be converted into an open-plan studio space, with a courtyard to be created between the two new developments.

The proposed development will also bring opportunities to trainees of The Prince’s Foundation’s traditional building skills programmes. Gordon Neil, deputy executive director said: “This restoration project will be carried out using the traditional building skills used to such great effect elsewhere on the estate and will provide further opportunities for our apprentices to gain real-life experience working on a live project.”

The estate’s existing Royal Drawing School Dimplex Artist Studios offers four fully-equipped studios, an unparalleled opportunity for up-and-coming and established artists locally, nationally and internationally through the Artists In Residence programme.

Janet Casey, artist residencies manager for The Royal Drawing School, explained the impact of the proposed new development: “The exciting prospect of new accommodation and studio space would add to our existing offering to artists through the estate’s Royal Drawing School Residency Programme. Quite simply, this new facility will offer the opportunity to more artists to work on their self-directed practice in the inspirational environment of Dumfries House estate.”

The Royal Drawing School runs fully-funded international artists'residencies based at Dumfries House and provides a private studio and shared self-catering accommodation on the estate for up to four artists at any one time. These residencies are seen as being of great importance in a climate of diminishing funding and patronage of the arts.

Words: Corinna Cunningham