New additions to Victorian exhibition help compose Duchess’ story

28th August, 2018

An exhibition of rare and fascinating items collected in the Victorian era has been enhanced for visitors with the addition of music and a touch screen.

‘Love and Respect in the Victorian Age’, at Bowhill House near Selkirk showcases around 70 items including silver, porcelain, jewellery, books and manuscripts, paintings and miniatures.

While taking in the beautiful trinkets on display, music which was written for Charlotte-Anne, the wife of Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry.

The new touchscreen computer allows visitors to learn more about the tunes dedicated to Charlotte-Anne, plus other pieces from the 1830-40s she would have been familiar with.

Helen Currie, House Manager at Bowhill, said: “The new musical elements installed within the exhibition really help to tell the story of the Duke and Charlotte-Anne.

“We’ve seen lots of interest in Charlotte-Anne since Diana Rigg’s portrayal of her in the second series of ITV’s Victoria and the addition of the music offers a unique insight into her life at Bowhill.”

Highlights of the exhibition include the beautiful Mayflower Tiara – a diamond, gold and silver tiara made in the 1870s, which has been worn by many of the family’s brides on their wedding days. The antique headpiece can be disassembled to form nine brooches.

The family’s links with Queen Victoria can also be seen through some of the artefacts including the Visitors’ Book with her and Prince Albert’s signatures in 1842, and letters from the Queen. An enchanting gold bracelet contains Victoria’s portrait and is engraved with an affectionate message reaffirming the closeness of the ties.