Duff House

Banff, AB45 3SX

01261 818 181
 

Overview

Unpick the tale of two Williams – William Duff, owner of Duff House, and William Adam, its architect. The two fell out over money during the creation of this splendid early Georgian mansion, leading to a five-year court case.

As home to noted art collectors, Duff House has long been adorned with magnificent paintings. It later played an active role in the Second World War. Today, Duff House is a country house gallery displaying collections from the National Galleries of Scotland.

What to see and do

  • Admire ‘The Pergola’ oil painting by Sir John Lavery, an Irish painter who studied at the Glasgow School of Art. Enjoy this rare opportunity to view this masterpiece, last exhibited in 1940. On display until October 2019. Read more about The Pergola.
  • Admire architect William Adam’s tremendous vision, including elaborate masonry carved in Queensferry and shipped to Banff
  • Spot the difference between superb interior features that are original and those that have been meticulously restored
  • Learn the many stories of Duff House’s history, from a royal visit to its wartime use as a prisoner of war camp
  • Wander through landscaped grounds set out with carriage drives and ornamental follies
  • Walk about 2 miles to the Bridge of Alvah, passing Duff ice house and the striking neo-Gothic mausoleum
  • Take our fun fact-finding quiz (also in Scots)
  • Find the animals and objects around the house to complete our Drawing Challenge
Historic Scotland

Opening times

1 Apr to 30 Sept:
Thur to Sun, 9.30am to 5pm
Last entry 4.15pm
Closed for lunch 1pm to 2pm

Access is by guided tour only in the morning (9.30am & 11.15am), then free flow access from 2pm.

1 Oct to 31 Mar:
Fri to Sun, 10.15am to 4pm (last entry 3.15pm)
Closed for lunch from 12.15pm to 1pm.

Access is by guided tour only in the morning (10.30am), then free flow access from 1pm.

Facilities

Download our visitor app

Discover more on the go – the Historic Scotland app lets you find out about Scotland’s most iconic places wherever you are.

Plan your visit

More than 20 of our sites are now open. Please book your tickets in advance.

Become a member

Join Historic Scotland to visit our properties free of charge for a full year and support our work at the same time.

Hire a site for filming

Use one of our fantastic locations on your next shoot for an awe-inspiring backdrop to your work.

Learning visits

Our 300+ historic places serve as creative inspiration for all sorts of learning activities – and for learners of all ages.

Search our events

See the past brought to life by the imaginative year-round programme of events at our properties.