A FASHION expert travelled halfway round the world to work at Dumfries House after seeing a documentary on the estate.

Peggy Stone was so impressed by its ethos and education programmes that she volunteered to fly with husband Ross from home in New South Wales, Australia, to deliver masterclasses in the the house’s Atelier.

Thousands of school pupils have been part of the successful Future Textiles programme in the past three years and Mrs Stone, previously employed by the milliner to Her Majesty the Queen, decided to pass on her skills to East Ayrshire’s emerging stylists.

The millinery classes ran last week and this week and were fully-subscribed, with 24 participants gaining a grounding in millinery from Mrs Stone, who worked for London-based Frederic Fox and has designed and produced hats for guests at racing’s Melbourne Cup and Ascot as well as entrants at the Chelsea Flower Show.

She said: “I’ve always loved to pass on the skills I’ve learned in almost 20 years as a milliner.

“When I saw a documentary on Dumfries House that detailed helping out the local community in an area where young people learning new skills is important, and knowing that millinery is an important part of British culture, I thought I would volunteer to come and teach people what I know. It’s really an excuse to visit a great country and a fantastic estate here at Dumfries House. I’m sure those on the course will make some magnificent things.

“I like to say that elegance is incomplete without a hat. The UK is a hat-wearing country and there are great opportunities for people to work in an industry producing beautiful headwear.”

The course was run free of charge to participants, with donations going towards the Sewing Bee programme that runs for beginners and more advanced practitioners through the year at Dumfries House.

It has been 10 years since the Duke of Rothesay saved Dumfries House to use it to help people take part in learning experiences that promote confidence and personal development, as well as offering training in real-life skills.