Drum Castle
Drum Castle | |
---|---|
General information | |
Type | Tower house |
Town or city | Drumoak, Aberdeenshire |
Country | Scotland |
Coordinates | 57°05′42″N 2°20′17″W / 57.09503°N 2.33794°W |
Construction started | 13th Century |
Owner | National Trust for Scotland |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | possibly Richard Cementarius |
Drum Castle is a castle near Drumoak in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. For centuries it was the seat of the chief of Clan Irvine.[1] The place-name Drum is derived from Gaelic druim, 'ridge'.[2] The site is located approximately 6+1⁄2 miles (10.5 kilometres) northeast of Banchory and 3 miles (5 kilometres) west of Peterculter. The property is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is open to the public.
History
The original 13th-century tower of Drum Castle has been suggested as the work of
The castle and its grounds were granted to William de Irwyn in 1323 by
In the 19th century, it was the home of
There was an older church located here; it was modified to create the chapel in the 1500s and 1600s. In 1857, the west window was enlarged and the cross was added; a new roof was also installed and some restoration of the interior was completed.[8][9]
The site was once served by Drum railway station on the Deeside Railway. Service was discontinued in 1951.
Recent status
The castle has been a Category-A Listed property since 1987. The report states that the agreement with the National Trust was made in 1964 by Mr H.Q. Forbes Irvine, the 24th Laird, and that the agreement came into force in 1976, after 650 years of ownership by the Irvine Lairds. The summary states that the tower was built in 1280–1300, that the Jacobean Wing was added in 1619 and that modificants were made ca. 1800, 1840 and 1875. The Chapel is Category-B Listed as are the Walled Garden and East Lodge; in 1987, the garden was "derelict".[10]
The chapel, dining hall and estate may be hired for weddings and corporate functions. The current (early 2020) NTS website, however, discusses its Garden of Historic Roses, spread out over four distinct areas. The grand Victorian library with over 4,000 books was one of the attractions; the castle was also offering a "programme of temporary exhibitions throughout the year".[11][12] A tourism website added that the castle "contains superb furniture and paintings. In the 16th-century chapel are a beautiful stained glass window and the Augsburg silver Madonna". The site has a playground, a small shop and a tearoom.[13]
The castle, gardens and estate are open to visitors throughout the year.[14] During 2019, 47,446 people visited the castle.[15]
Area's ancient history
Prehistoric habitation of the local area is known through archaeological sites such as
Gallery
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The Rose Garden at Drum Castle
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Walled Garden, Drum Castle
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Gateway of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle
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North-East corner of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle
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Southern boundary of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle
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Drum Castle Chapel
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Drum Castle chapel Interior & Altar
References
- ^ "Drum Castle". National Trust of Scotland. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
- ^ "Drum Castle". Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ William Fraser, The Chiefs of Grant, vol. 3 (Edinburgh, 1883), pp. 62-3.
- ^ "Alexander F-I 20th Laird of Drum". geni_family_tree.
- ^ "Drum Castle". Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ Drum Castle
- ^ "Drum Castle Chapel". Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Drum Castle, Chapel (LB3114)".
- ^ Drum Castle Chapel
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Drum Castle (GDL00141)".
- ^ Drum Castle
- ^ Drum Castle Highlights
- ^ Drum Castle
- ^ Drum Castle, Garden and Estate
- ^ "ALVA - Association of Leading Visitor Attractions". www.alva.org.uk. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ "Elsick Mounth". The Megalithic Portal.
External links
- Drum Castle at National Trust of Scotland
- Summer Snow - Cottonwood tree at Drum Castle
- Views of Drum Castle and chapel
- 360 Virtual Tour of Drum Castle Grounds