Glenlair Steading

Dumfries and Galloway

The Maxwell at Glenlair Trust Museum is dedicated to the eminent scientist, Professor James Clerk Maxwell. Born in Edinburgh in 1831, Professor Clerk Maxwell moved with his father John to Glenlair House soon afterwards and lived there until his death on November 5, 1879. Glenlair House was largely destroyed by fire in 1929, although the oldest part designed by Walter Newall was partly renovated in 1993, with a more significant renovations in 2013 by the current owners, The Ferguson family. Architecturally significant Glenlair Steading was built in about 1840 and forms part of the original Clerk Maxwell Glenlair estate. It is located close to Glenlair House.

The steading was restored by the Ferguson family in 2023 and is now the main outlet of Demijohn, the liquid deli, one of Scotland’s leading eco-friendly food and drink businesses. Regular Demijohn events are now held within Glenlair Steading as it has facilities for parking, along with wheelchair friendly access and toilets.

For Doors Open Days there will be two special events:

Glenlair Walking Tour - a guided walking tour of Glenlair Steading, the Maxwell at Glenlair Museum and Glenlair House. 12pm daily with meeting spot at Demijohn Shop within Glenlair Steading.

Demijohn Food & Drink Tasting - runs continuously from 11am to 2:30pm daily, simply visit the Demijohn Shop within Glenlair Steading.

Facilities

• Disabled WC
• WC
• Parking
• Limited Access

Additional Access Information

Wheelchair accessible toilet, toilets and wheelchair accessible building at Demijohn Shop within Glenlair Steading.

The Maxwell at Glenlair Trust Museum and the grounds around Glenlair House have more limited wheelchair access. 

Please note our customer car park and some of our access paths are made up of gravel. Uneven original cobble stone surfaces are present within Glenlair Steading.