The Brodick Castle collection was part of the once vast holdings of the Dukes of Hamilton. Before its dispersal between 1880 and 1920, the Hamilton collection was the greatest assemblage of fine and decorative art in Scotland, and stood as a monument to the historic standing of Scotland’s premier noble family and in particular a collector of vast ambition, the 10th Duke of Hamilton, who upheld his family’s claim to the throne of Scotland.
Ray Macfarlane of Musuem Galleries Scotland presents the recognition plaque to National Trust chief executive Simon Skinner.
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As such, the Hamilton collection has been described as ‘Scotland’s Royal collection’. Today Brodick is home to the only part of that collection to have remained in family possession and in a historic Hamilton home. For this reason it is a uniquely important resource for the understanding of the social, political and cultural life of one of Scotland’s foremost dynasties, the life and works of the Hamilton family, and the history of art and design in Scotland.