The head of gardens at Dumfries House says the estate has flourished under the stewardship of the Prince's Foundation.

Looking ahead to King Charles' coronation, Melissa Simpson also said that there has been an increase in the number of visitors to the area since Charles became King last year.

The charity saved the estate back in 2007, and has flourished ever since, focusing on sustainability and looking and building on skills that are becoming less common.

Melissa and her 14-strong team have kept the Walled Garden in tip-top shape.

As part of the build-up to the coronation, the team have also been busy planting a “CR” – Charles Rex – cypher centrepiece in the Queen Elizabeth walled garden at the property to mark the coronation.

Cumnock Chronicle:

Although Melissa is the one in charge, everything they do is a nod to what the King's vision for the estate would be.

Melissa said: "We've got an over-arching vision and we know the kind of things that he likes.

"He's so big on sustainability, but we've got to know what he likes after a bit of trial and error.

"Everything is guided by the King's vision and he's always loved coming back here and seeing how the place is developing."

Cumnock Chronicle:

The focus for The Prince's Foundation is education- but at Dumfries House, local employability has become a huge factor in the estate's success and popularity in Cumnock and the surrounding areas.

Of Melissa's team of 14, only one of them is from out-with the area.

Melissa said there was no concern about The King's interest in the Dumfries House, now that he has taken on his new role.

"He absolutely loves this place," Melissa added.

"You would often just see him walking around the gardens and chatting to people.

"He's so into people and he's so into the environment."

There are plans for The king to revisit Dumfries House later this year, after his most recent visit to his favourite East Ayrshire estate back in January.