A HOUSE known to have inspired the classic children’s story Peter Pan is set to shut its doors to the public after the charity overseeing it announced its closure.
The author JM Barrie lived in Dumfries between 1873 and 1878, during which time he was a regular visitor to Moat Brae.
At the time the house was occupied by the Gordon family, whose children Hal and Stuart were great friends with Barrie.
Barrie would later described the garden as an “enchanted land” which provided “the genesis of that nefarious work…Peter Pan”.
The house and gardens were run as a private nursing home throughout the 20th century until closing in 1997.
It was saved from demolition by the Moat Brae Trust in 2009 and transformed into a visitor attraction following a campaign from local residents.
However, in a statement on Thursday, charity bosses said financial pressures had forced them into closure.
“It is with a heavy heart that we, the Trustees, announce the imminent closure of the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust and Visitor Centre in Dumfries town centre,” the statement read.
“We have reached the stage where - with great regret - it is necessary to close Moat Brae's doors to the public from 23rd August 2024.
“Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust has been losing money for an extended period.
“Like most other Scottish charities, we have seen a marked reduction in statutory funding, grant funding, donor income and legacies.
“As a building-based organisation, we have also seen the impacts of a significant drop in footfall, despite our dedicated staff and volunteer team’s efforts and local community support.
“The rising cost of living means our costs of operation have seen a significant leap, with inflation impacting across the board including labour, property holding costs, food and beverages”
The interim chair of the board, Graham Edwards, added: “Every possible effort and option have been explored by the Trustees and staff of the Moat Brae Peter Pan Trust.
“Therefore, it is with deep sadness that we announce the end of operations.
“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff, volunteers, members and many supporters of the Trust for their commitment in bringing the magic of books and storytelling to life for the thousands of visitors who passed through the doors.
“The Trust’s purpose was to spark young imaginations and encourage creativity, we hope this is the legacy we leave behind.”
It is unclear what the future of the property will be following the winding down of the charity.
