RESIDENTS are getting the chance to learn about local food and farming in Cumnock.

It comes as Dumfries House launch the exciting chance to see behind the scenes at the estate’s Pierburg Building and Kauffman Education Garden.

Hundreds of school pupils attend the farm every year and now visitors will be given a hands on experience to find out more about the iconic farm.

The Pierburg Building and Kauffman Education Garden educates youngsters about the provenance of food, sustainability and how to grow, harvest and cook vegetables.

Arianne Knowles, food, farming and horticulture education manager, said: “The Pierburg Building is usually reserved for visiting school groups so we are very much looking forward to opening up the doors to the public for our annual open day.

“Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the building and chat to staff about the work being done by The Prince’s Foundation to introduce visiting school pupils to food growing, farming and horticulture.”

Entry to the open day is free and visitors can access the Pierburg Building and Kauffman Education Gardens via The Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden.

Dumfries House is also celebrating Scone Week giving visitors to the Cumnock estate’s café an opportunity to savour a different scone recipe each day.

In what is thought to be a Scottish “first”, the estate’s team of talented bakers will prepare a range of tasty treats to complement the fare on offer at The Coach House Café, which includes salads, jacket potatoes, and sumptuous soups.

From Monday to Friday, scones set to be served include cheese and onion, cherry and coconut, coffee and walnut, banana and chocolate, and clootie dumpling. A social media poll will be held to determine the most popular scone, which will then be made available to purchase throughout the following week.

Julie McCluskie, manager of The Coach House Café, said: “Our homebaking is a major draw for visitors to the café, and our scones are among our biggest sellers. Scone Week represents a fun way for people to sample a creative variety of some of our favourite types of scone after a healthy-giving walk through our estate’s 2000 acres of woodland and gardens or, for our younger visitors, a run around the maze and adventure playground.”

It is estimated that around 140,000 people visit Dumfries House estate each year, and around 22,000 book tours of the house. Many visitors purchase snacks and lunches at The Coach House Café and dine at nearby restaurant Woodlands, both of which source ingredients from local suppliers and sustainable produce from the estate itself.