Press Release
NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR FORMER MANOR HOUSE
1 August 2007
The site of a former Dumfriesshire manor house has been given a new lease of life by The Crown Estate in order to support local businesses.
Forming part of the Applegirth estate, the Grade B listed outbuildings of Dryfeholm Manor House near Lockerbie have been converted into commercial and residential units. The new occupants moved in earlier this year and include the estate’s forestry office.
Believed to have been completed around 1850 for a Mr A. Jardine Esq, Dryfeholm Manor was designed by Victorian architect Walter Newhall who was also responsible for many properties built in the area during that time.
The house survived until 1952 when it fell into ruin and was demolished. Fortunately, the stables and outbuildings remained including an underground tunnel which connected them to the main house.
The Crown Estate acquired the site when it purchased the Applegirth estate from the Church Commissioners in 1966 and the buildings were then used to house estate workshops.
“The redevelopment of these premises has provided a new lease of life for the site”, explained The Crown Estate’s Head Forester Mike Libera. “We have been able to provide local businesses with facilities whilst preserving what remains of Dryfeholm Manor for the future.”
As well as residential homes, The Crown Estate’s forestry office, local carpentry and roofing firms occupy the other units. There is an office which will be available for let in the future.
Mike Libera added: “There is still part of the site which may be possible to develop in the future and provide further facilities.”
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