Dumfries House unveils £6.5m King’s Hall expansion

The development, named The King’s Hall, will form a 430sqm single‑storey extension to the east wing of the 18th‑century Palladian mansion near Cumnock — the headquarters of The King’s Foundation, the charity established by the monarch more than 35 years ago.

Scheduled to open in summer 2027, the new venue will accommodate up to 200 guests and is intended to meet rising demand for five‑star weddings and private events.

Replacing the long‑serving Pavilion marquee, the hall will feature a 282sqm public events space built using stone from a local quarry and traditional construction techniques echoing those used when Robert Adam designed the original house between 1754 and 1759.

Executive director Gordon Neil said the extension marks a new chapter in the estate’s architectural story, adding that Dumfries House will now bear the influence of “Adam in the 18th century, Weir‑Schultz in the 19th century, and King Charles III during his reign”.

Sustainability is central to the project, with heat pumps and biomass boilers providing energy for the new hall and the main house. Menus will prioritise organic and locally sourced produce, aligning with the King’s long‑held environmental ethos.

Evan Samson, general manager of Dumfries House, said the development addresses a long‑standing gap in the estate’s offer.

The new hall, he said, will provide “the intimacy, atmosphere and historic grandeur” associated with the house while finally delivering a large‑scale events space that complements its architectural character. The ambition is for The King’s Hall to become a leading destination for luxury weddings and high‑end events, both nationally and internationally.

Revenue from exclusive‑use hire and ticketed events will support The King’s Foundation’s education programmes and community initiatives, which benefit more than 10,000 people annually. Samson said the project will create new employment opportunities locally while giving guests enhanced access to the historic house.

The first phase of the development has secured approval from East Ayrshire Council and Historic Environment Scotland, with inaugural events expected in July 2027.