See how Duff House Banffshire changed between 1889 and 2024. Drag the slider to compare the historic photograph with the modern view.
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## Duff House
In 1735, William Duff, Lord Braco, commissioned architect William Adam to design a grand Baroque mansion in Banff, Scotland. The foundation stone was laid on 11 June 1735, and the building was completed by 1749. The design featured a central block with advanced corner towers, but intended flanking pavilions and colonnaded quadrants were never constructed due to disputes over costs. (her.aberdeenshire.gov.uk)
The Duff family occupied the house until 1903, after which it was gifted to the towns of Banff and Macduff in 1906. Subsequently, it served various purposes, including a hotel, sanatorium, and during World War II, an internment and prisoner-of-war camp. In 1940, the house suffered damage from a bombing raid, resulting in eight fatalities and significant structural harm. (historicenvironment.scot)
Following extensive restoration, Duff House reopened in 1995 as a country house gallery, now housing works by El Greco, Gainsborough, and Raeburn. (nationalgalleries.org) The surrounding grounds, featuring scenic woodland walks along the River Deveron and a Gothic mausoleum, offer visitors a glimpse into the estate's rich history. (livebreathescotland.com)
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