‘Rather a white elephant’
Abstract
Duff House, a once-neglected aristocratic mansion in Scotland, was repurposed in the late 20th century as a heritage site. This chapter analyses how heritage authorities framed its history, highlighting its elite past while downplaying less glamorous roles as hotel, sanatorium, and wartime facility. Through this selective narrative, Duff House became a successful tourism destination, but at the cost of historical complexity. The chapter examines tensions between conservation, economic viability, and the politics of memory in heritage presentation.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation
Cultural Identity and Heritage
Memory
Trauma
and Commemoration
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Amsterdam University Press eBooks
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter