Preserving the Heritage

Protecting the built and natural heritage of all that makes Bowhill so special is a responsibility we take seriously.

We are committed to restoring and developing the built and natural heritage to the highest standards we can, not just for visitors like you to enjoy now but for the future too.

John Charles, 7th Duke of Buccleuch and 9th Duke of Queensberry, formally created the Buccleuch Estates Ltd in 1923,  the year that saw the birth of his grandson, Walter Francis John, 9th and 11th Duke. 

He wanted to manage the considerable rural properties he had inherited and today, we are proud to continue that work, not just at Bowhill but across all the Buccleuch homes.

Even before 1923, caring and protecting the land and its buildings and structures to the benefit of all has always been a top priority.
 
The Buccleuch properties descend from the Dukedom of Montagu in Northamptonshire and Cumbria, the Dukedom of Queensberry (Douglas family) in Dumfriesshire and the Dukedom of Buccleuch (Scott family) in Roxburgh, Selkirk, Peebles and Midlothian.  

The estates are internationally renowned for the excellence of their countryside management, public accessibility, pioneering works in agriculture and forestry, wildlife and landscape conservation.

As a result of declining profitability in farming and forestry, from the beginning of the 21st Century, the Buccleuch Group has diversified into a number of associated activities, including real estate, in order to provide alternative sources of income to protect its National Trust type heritage. 

Recent work undertaken at Bowhill includes the completion of external renovations to Bowhill House, a nine year project to replace much of the roof work and many of the chimneys.  Work has also been conducted to safeguard outbuildings such as the  Bowhill Ice House. We have recently started a project working on the stabilisation of the historic Newark Tower.