The discovery was made by bed and breakfast owners Sara and Dave Wood during their renovations of Glebe House in Dunning, Perthshire, and is thought to date back over 150 years to when the house was first built. 

Glebe House, built in 1860 by Lord Rollo as the new manse for the minister of St. Serf’s Church, is now an Historic Scotland site housing the ancient Dupplin Cross. The building stands at the heart of Dunning, a conservation village of 1,200 inhabitants in the Strathearn valley of Perthshire.

During extensive renovation works last year, owners Dave & Sara Wood uncovered a series of historical finds as they lovingly restored the property. Discoveries included messages left on walls by previous workmen, abandoned old newspapers dating back to 1924, antiquated plumbing and gas lighting fixtures as well as this mysterious lady.

“It really is a mystery as to who this lady could be. Our research into the property shows us that the plastering in the house was originally carried out by a local Dunning tradesperson in the 1850s, a Mr Eadie, but as to the identity of this young lady, and why she has been encased in plaster for well over a hundred years, this is entirely unknown,” said Sarah.

“We’ve worked tirelessly to bring this amazing property back to life […] As part of our renovation plans we’ve chosen to carefully cover up our young lady with some rather tasteful Voyage wallart, but she’ll be there for years to come, silently waiting for future owners to discover her for themselves.”