Culture Minister Michael Russell has gone behind the scenes to see one of Scotland's most impressive country homes and its remarkable collection of Chippendale furniture.

Dumfries House was bought by a consortium led by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 2007 and was opened to the public the following year for the first time in it’s 300-year history.

The Minister said: "I have been keen to come and see the collection at Dumfries House for some time now and am therefore delighted to be here.

"This is a unique place and I am encouraged by the group of people gathered here today to look at the challenges facing historic visitor attractions and how the sector can work together to share its expertise, passion and enthusiasm with the huge amount of people who visit these properties every year.

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"As well as giving people a glimpse of what 18th-century life was like in and around such buildings, the plans for the surrounding land are giving the area an economic boost.

"I am keen to hear of the exciting progress that has been made since the First Minister attended the opening in June 2008 and what lies ahead."

Dumfries House was designed by the Adam brothers and is now operated by The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust.

Chief Executive of the Trust, Mike Schafer, said: "We have been greatly encouraged by the interest shown in Dumfries House since it opened last year.

"Now we are looking at what we can do to continue to develop how we promote this beautiful Adam house and its unrivalled collection of furniture."

Following a tour of the house the Minister joined a meeting of representatives from across the heritage sector to discuss how partnership working can be used to improve the way historic attractions are presented, maintained and marketed.

The House has recently played host to a series of popular events ranging from Antiques Roadshow to the Taste of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

(GK/BMcC)