The historic Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland has opened to the public.

The heritage site was opened by His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, granting public access to the property for the first time in 250 years.

The Scottish Government was part of the consortium, brought together by The Prince, who reached agreement with the Marquis of Bute to purchase the 18th century Dumfries House and its collection for an estimated £45m to safeguard the house and its contents for the nation.

An independent trust, The Great Steward’s of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust, has been established to manage the presentation and maintenance of the house, its collection and grounds.

Dumfries House, a Category A-listed Palladian country house, was completed in 1759 and is located within 2,000 acres of countryside.

The house is renowned for its unique collection of 18th Century rococo furniture.

Michael Schafer, chief executive of the Dumfries House trust, said: “Since it was acquired last November, months of hard work have gone into turning the property from a private house into a visitor attraction. It has been a major task to ensure that it and we are ready to welcome public tours this summer.”

"This is very much a continuing project and this summer’s visitors will see the House as a ‘work-in-progress’."