May 2016 marks the third anniversary of the restoration of John McDouall Stuart’s house in Dysart, Scotland to a holiday apartment.  McDouall Stuart was born in Dysart, Fife in 1815.

The building formerly housed the McDouall Stuart Museum, which closed in 2009.  In 2012 Fife Historic Buildings began work on the £50,000 restoration project and the apartment was officially opened on 16 May 2013 by Kaye Bachelard who is the great, great, great, grand-niece of John McDouall Stuart. The Trust tracked Kaye down after launching a search for relatives of the explorer.

Fife Historic Buildings Trust, which has charitable status, works in partnership with Fife Council and with community groups to find new users and funding to give a long-term future to historic buildings at risk.  It was a source of great sadness to many people that the museum had closed, and it was a real honour for the Trust to be involved in providing a legacy to McDouall Stuart whilst bringing an important historical building back into use.

The holiday apartment occupies the upper two floors of the three-storey listed building and retains its history and character whilst providing all the modern amenities guests would expect.  Access is via an external staircase which leads to a living/dining area, and kitchen, with a twin bedroom and bathroom on the upper level.

The apartment is ideal for visitors who would like to share in John McDouall Stuart’s heritage and gaze out on the same seas that inspired his desire for travel and adventure.

Dysart’s more recent claim to fame is as a filming location for historical TV drama ‘Outlander’, and the apartment’s proximity to many other ‘Outlander’ filming locations makes it an ideal base for fans of the hit series.  It’s also a great stopping-off point for visitors en-route to the Scottish Highlands or for those walking the Fife Coastal Path.

Anyone wishing to stay at the apartment should contact Fife Historic Buildings Trust -info@fifehistoricbuildings.org.uk or visit www.fifehistoricbuildings.org.uk

Plaque on wall of Stuart’s birthplace, Dysart, Scotland