Dunphail House, a house of Italianate design in Moray, Scotland, was the first commission for a country house that William Henry Playfair undertook. Completed for Charles Lennox Cumming-Bruce in the year 1829, the house was once a Category B listed building, later upgraded to Category A in 1987. The lovely Dunphail House, near the old ruins of Dunphail Castle, was completed between 1828 and 1829. Despite a flood in the nearby River Divie threatening to wash it all away – with the river bank reportedly collapsing to within a yard of the foundations – the house did survive and stands grandly today.
Alexander Ross made hefty modifications to the house in 1871, followed by the installation of electricity in 1883. The interior plasterwork underwent a significant overhaul between 1928 and 1932, while Ronald Phillips and Partners removed substantial parts of Ross's addition in 1964, striving to keep the original design intact. Today, Dunphail House remains a privately owned residence. While it retains its rectangular Italianate design, only little of Playfair's original work remains in the interior of the house.
The building is constructed of pinned rubble with polished and tooled ashlar sandstone detailing. Known for its glorious past, the house boasts unique architectural detailing and a rich history that offers a fascinating glimpse into 18th century Scotland.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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