Scotland's Costume Magic: Historic Outfits Make a Stylish Comeback at Shambellie

Shambellie House, a grand country home near New Abbey in southern Scotland, was once famous as the National Museum of Costume. For years, visitors came to see its impressive collection of historical clothing, but in 2013, the museum closed and the costumes were moved to Edinburgh. Many people in the community were disappointed and wondered if fashion would ever return to the beloved house.

In 2021, the Shambellie House Trust took over the property and began restoring it. After a lot of hard work, the house reopened in April 2022 as an arts and heritage centre. This new chapter for Shambellie House meant that it would now be a place for learning about art, crafts, and history, as well as a space for the community to gather. The house, surrounded by beautiful gardens, became a lively centre once again.

The return of costumes to Shambellie House happened in an unexpected way. Nonsuch History and Dance, a company that started in London in 1966, had a collection of 173 theatrical costumes. These costumes were used for performances and educational workshops all over the UK. In 2019, the company moved to Sanquhar in southern Scotland and needed a safe, permanent home for their wardrobe. Penny Boff, a dancer and project director, reached out to the Dumfries Theatre Royal to see if they could take care of the costumes.

Pat Phillips, a volunteer at the theatre, spent two months in Sanquhar organizing the collection. She put the costumes on mannequins, took photographs, and recorded each piece in a detailed database. Pat was amazed by the quality and beauty of the clothes and thought others would be excited to see them too.

Then, Shambellie House contacted the theatre, asking if they had any interesting costumes to display. This led to a new exhibition at Shambellie House, but it is different from the old museum. Instead of putting all the costumes behind glass, about ten have been carefully placed around the house to match the modern craftwork on display. Visitors can get close to the fabrics and see the details up close, which is a big change from most museums.

Mags Wilson from the Theatre Royal helped repair the costumes and said it was wonderful to see them out of storage and in front of the public. She explained that usually, costumes in museums are behind glass, making it hard to see the details or take good photos. Now, people can really appreciate the work of the seamstresses who made the clothes long ago.

Taking care of the costumes is a big job because they are heavy and delicate. Many of the outfits were made for small figures, and they need to be handled with care. The exhibition has been so popular that its run has been extended. Penny Boff and her team are thrilled with the new venue, saying that Shambellie House has a special, welcoming atmosphere.

Mags agreed that the house is the perfect place for the costumes. She said it is easy to imagine how families lived there in the past, and it is nice to experience the charm of an old house. The costumes will stay at Shambellie House until at least the beginning of October. In addition to the dresses and suits, there is also a large collection of hats, some of which were worn by actors on stage.

Thanks to the efforts of many people, Shambellie House is once again a place where fashion and history come together. Visitors can enjoy seeing the beautiful costumes and hats, and learn about the stories behind them. The return of fashion to Shambellie House has brought new life to this historic home, making it a special place for everyone in the community.