Earlier Houses: Dun Castle, a 14th century tower house that was located to the west of the current house, was demolished circa 1723.

Built / Designed For: David Erskine, 13th Laird of Dun

House & Family History: William Adam, Sr., who designed the House of Dun in 1730, based its design on the Chateau d'Issy near Paris (see "Images" section for a 1903 photo of the chateau in ruins). Dun contains exceptional plasterwork by Joseph Enzer and was home in the 19th century to Lady Augusta Kennedy-Erskine, the illegitimate daughter of King William IV and Mrs. Jordan. The house suffered many indignities over the years, serving as a B&B and a restaurant. In 1980 Mrs. Millicent A.A. Lovett bequeathed the House of Dun to the National Trust for Scotland. Much to the trust's delight, all the original furnishings were later discovered in the attic. The NTS spent nine years restoring Dun to the state it had been in at the time of Lady Augusta. In 1989 the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother opened the House of Dun to the public as part of the celebrations marking the tercentenary of William Adam's birth. The National Trust for Scotland plans for Dun to become the new home of the Angus Folk Collection; the collection will be be displayed throughout the refurbished courtyard.

Comments: Dun is widely regarded as William Adam's finest medium-sized country house.

Vitruvius Scoticus: Adam, W., pls. 57, 58, 69, 70, 1810.

Country Life: Nov 20, 1986. Jun 22, 1989.

House Listed: Category A

Park Listed: Listed as a Garden & Designed Landscape

Past Seat / Home of: David Erskine, 13th Laird of Dun, 1740-58; Millicent A.A. Lovett, 21st Laird of Dun, late 20th century; Kennedy-Erskine family here from 1375 until 1980.

Current Ownership Type: The National Trust for Scotland

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01674-810-264

Fax: 01674-810-722

Website: https://www.nts.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No