A FASHION expert with links to the royal family is flying from the other side of the world to give Cumnock style advice.

Peggy Stone who was once employed by the milliner to Her Majesty the Queen has volunteered to fly with husband Ross from home in New South Wales, Australia, to deliver fashion masterclasses in Cumnock.

It comes after the style icon watched a documentary about Dumfries House and was struck by its ethos and education programmes and now can’t wait to be part of one.

The August masterclasses will be held in Dumfries House’s Atelier, where more than 4,000 school pupils have been part of the successful Future Textiles programme in the past five years.

Beginner Millinery Course will run from August 12-14 at 10am-3pm each day, with participants set to gain a grounding in millinery from Peggy, who worked for London-based Frederic Fox and has designed and produced hats for guests at racing’s Melbourne Cup and Ascot as well as entrants at the Chelsea Flower Show.

She said: “I’ve always loved to pass on the skills I’ve learned in almost 20 years as a milliner.

“When I saw a documentary on Dumfries House that detailed helping out the local community in an area where young people learning new skills is important, and knowing that millinery is an important part of British culture, I thought I would volunteer to come and teach people what I know.

“It’s really an excuse to visit a great country and a fantastic estate here at Dumfries House. I’m sure those on the course will make some magnificent things.

“I like to say that elegance is incomplete without a hat. The UK is a hat-wearing country and there are great opportunities for people to work in an industry producing beautiful headwear.”

The cost of the three-day workshop is £120, with a choice of two half-day workshops available at £30 each.

Dumfries House estate was saved for the nation by The Prince of Wales in 2007 and is now used to help people engage in learning experiences that promote confidence and personal development, as well as offer training in real-life skills to open up future employment opportunities.

The Prince’s Foundation, formed last year as a result of the consolidation of Dumfries House Trust and other charities, has its headquarters at Dumfries House.

The Prince’s Foundation is now the second-largest employer in East Ayrshire with more than 200 full-time and part-time staff across the house, estate and education and training programmes