President of Ireland Michael D Higgins visits Charles and Camilla at Dumfries House
Irish president Michael D Higgins has joined the Prince of Wales in marking 10 years since he helped secure the future of Dumfries House in Ayrshire.
Irish president Michael D Higgins has joined the Prince of Wales in marking 10 years since he helped secure the future of Dumfries House in Ayrshire.
The President and First Lady of Ireland, Sabina Higgins, met Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at the 18th century stately home on Wednesday afternoon.
Celebrations are being held to mark a decade since the house was opened to the public after being saved by the Prince.
The 2000-acre Dumfries House estate now receives 24,000 visitors a year, employs around 150 people and provides a series of amenities to the local community.
These include skills training, educational programmes, woodland walkways, a playground and an outdoor swimming pool.
During their visit, the guests will hear about the significance of building on the talents of young people from under-privileged backgrounds as part of the project.
The president and First Lady Higgins will have private meetings with their hosts and attend a live broadcast recital of classical music.
They will hear the world premiere of Twilight Falls on Temple View, written by Welsh composer Paul Mealor about Dumfries House.
The Prince made the invitation in May, when the president hosted the royal couple for meetings at his official residence in Dublin.