THE King's Scottish stately home in Ayrshire is set to introduce parking charges for visitors later this year.
Dumfries House, owned by King Charles’s Foundation, has confirmed they are considering a parking fee for visitors "further afield" with views from the public being sought.
The house opened to the public in 2008 after being bought by the foundation led by Charles for £45m and has a number of attractions including a walled garden, educational farm and health and wellbeing centre.
Near Cumnock, it is the headquarters of The King’s Foundation, which Charles established to train the next generation of skilled craftspeople – including in fashion and textiles – in heritage techniques essential to many traditional UK industries.
The foundation has proposed for public spaces within the estate to remain free to the public, with free permits issued to people living nearby.
In a statement on their website, they said: “We are committed to ensuring parking at Dumfries House remains free for local people.
“To continue protecting and developing the estate for the benefit of the local community, we are looking to introduce a small car parking charge for those travelling to visit the estate from further afield.
“All of the revenue raised from car parking charges will go straight back into the maintenance and development of the 2000-acre estate, across our visitor facilities, education programmes and the estate’s green spaces.”
Members of the public have been given until May 18 to issue feedback to the plans via an online form, as well as any opinions on where the money should be invested in the 18th century house and estate.
