Volunteers at one of the north-east’s most recognisable tourist attractions insist a new programme of events is proving doubters wrong.
Duff House near Banff is one of the finest examples of a Georgian stately home in the world and regularly hosts art exhibitions and outdoor theatre productions.
But earlier this year local Conservative councillor Michael Roy accused the management of running the house into the ground.
Now Ian Williams, chairman of the Friends of Duff House volunteer group, has hit back with a fresh programme of events at the stately home.
“We’ve been trying for about 18 months to do a lot more at the house,” Mr Williams said.
“I don’t want to refer to past comments – we want to show the balance of what’s going on now.
“We had a lady who came all the way from Sussex to see the house last month.
“We get coach tours, we have piano recitals every month, two exhibitions every month and a Rembrandt etching currently on show.”
During the summer Duff House and the surrounding grounds have played host to two theatre productions.
The first, an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Danny the Champion of the World, was a huge hit with families.
It was followed earlier this month with a performance of Shakespeare’s As You Like It to mark 400 years since the Bard’s death.
In October the house will host a special dolphin exhibition, exploring the connection the property and its contents have with the animals which are often spotted along the Banffshire coast.
Last year visitor figures at Duff House rose from 17,770 to 19,323.
Mr Williams added: “We’re promoting it and getting better at promoting it.”
But last night Mr Roy reiterated his concerns about the marketing of Duff House.
“It is a magnificent building standing in splendid isolation totally divorced from the town,” he said.
“One of my gripes is that there has been very little joined-up thinking.
“Quite simply, I want a revision of opening hours – it’s not open until 11am right now – and greater interaction with local community groups.”
