Difference between revisions of "Drum Castle"

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(Created page with '{{Infobox castle |name=Drum Castle |county=Kincardineshire |town= |ownership=National Trust |os grid ref=NJ795005 |website={{NT link|Drum Castle, Garden and Estate}} }} '''Drum C…')
 
 
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|name=Drum Castle
 
|name=Drum Castle
 
|county=Kincardineshire
 
|county=Kincardineshire
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|town=
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|picture=Drum Castle.jpg
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|ownership=National Trust
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|picture caption=Drum Castle
 
|os grid ref=NJ795005
 
|os grid ref=NJ795005
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|website={{NT link|Drum Castle, Garden and Estate}}
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|latitude=57.09503
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|longitude=-2.33794
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|type=Tower house
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|village=Drumoak
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|built=13th Century
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|architect=possibly Richard Cementarius
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|garden=yes
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|ownership=National Trust
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|website={{NT link}}
 
}}
 
}}
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'''Drum Castle''' is a castle in [[Kincardineshire]]. It is owned by the [[National Trust for Scotland]].
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'''Drum Castle''' is a castle near [[Drumoak]] in [[Kincardineshire]]. For centuries it was the seat of the chief of Clan Irvine. The name 'Drum' is derived from the Gaelic ''druim'', meaning 'ridge'.
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The castle is to be found six and a half miles north-east of [[Banchory]] and three miles west of Peterculter.
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The property is now owned by the [[National Trust for Scotland]] and is opened to the public.
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==History==
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The original 13th-century tower of Drum Castle has been suggested as the work of medieval architect Richard Cementarius, who built the [[Brig o' Balgownie]], the first Bridge of Don, in Old Aberdeen.  It is believed to be one of the three oldest tower houses (and notably unaltered).  A large wing was added in 1619 by the 9th laird, and further alterations were made during the Victorian era.
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The castle and its grounds were granted to William de Irwyn in 1323 by Robert the Bruce, and remained in the possession of Clan Irvine until 1975.  William de Irwyn (of the Irvings of Bonshaw clan) was armour bearer/secretary (and neighbour) to King Robert the Bruce. In June 1636 Sir Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum and his wife Magdalene Scrimgeour were censured for harbouring the outlaw Gilderoy.<ref>William Fraser, ''The Chiefs of Grant'', vol. 3 (Edinburgh, 1883), pp. 62-3.</ref> Drum played a role in the Covenanting Rebellion (as did nearby [[Muchalls Castle]]) leading to its being attacked and sacked three times.
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[[File:MA(1829) p.210 - Drum - John Preston Neale.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The castle in 1829 (by John Preston Neale)]]
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In the 19th century, it was the home of Alexander Forbes Irvine of Drum FRSE (1818-1892).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.geni.com/people/Alexander-F-I-20th-Laird-of-Drum/6000000017361052296|title=Alexander F-I 20th Laird of Drum|website=geni_family_tree}}</ref> He had inherited the estate in 1861, on the death of his father. In 1875/1876, he arranged for a restoration of the courtyard, and the addition of an arched entrance and angle tower. He was also partly responsible for a restoration of the chapel.<ref>[http://www.scottishchurches.org.uk/sites/site/id/478/name/Drum+Castle+Chapel+Drumoak+Grampian Drum Castle Chapel]</ref>
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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.<ref>{{HES|LB3114|Drum Castle, Chapel}}</ref><ref>[http://scottishchurches.org.uk/sites/site/id/478/name/Drum+Castle+Chapel+Drumoak+Grampian Drum Castle Chapel]</ref>
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The site was once served by Drum railway station on the Deeside Railway. Service was discontinued in 1951.
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==Recent status==
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The castle is a Category-A Listed property. 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".<ref>{{HES|GDL00141|Drum Castle}}</ref>
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The chapel, dining hall and estate may be hired for weddings and corporate functions.
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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".<ref>[https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/drum-castle Drum Castle]</ref><ref>[https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/drum-castle/highlights/castle Drum Castle Highlights]</ref>
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The castle, gardens and estate are opened to visitors throughout the year.<ref>[https://whichmuseum.com/scotland/drumoak/drum-castle-garden-and-estate Drum Castle, Garden and Estate]</ref> During 2019, 47,446 people visited the castle.<ref name="ALVA 2019 visitor numbers">{{cite web |title=ALVA - Association of Leading Visitor Attractions |url=https://www.alva.org.uk/details.cfm?p=423 |website=www.alva.org.uk |access-date=18 November 2020}}</ref>
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==Area's ancient history==
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Prehistoric habitation of the local area is known through archaeological sites such as [[Balbridie]]. Roman legions marched from [[Raedykes]] to nearby [[Normandykes]] as they sought higher ground evading the bogs of Red Moss and other low-lying mosses associated with the [[Burn of Muchalls]]. That march used the [[Elsick Mounth]], one of the ancient trackways crossing the [[Grampian Mountains]]; the situation of the Elsick Mounth terminating at a ford to the River Dee is thought to have been instrumental in the strategic siting of Drum Castle as a point to monitor traffic on the Elsick Mounth<ref>{{megalithic|18037|Elsick Mounth}}</ref> lying west of [[Netherley]].
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==Gallery==
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<gallery class="center">
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The Rose Garden at Drum Castle - geograph.org.uk - 524831.jpg|The Rose Garden at Drum Castle
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Walled Garden, Drum Castle2.jpg|Walled Garden, Drum Castle
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Gateway of the walled garden at Drum Castle - geograph.org.uk - 1318513.jpg|Gateway of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle
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The NE cornerv of the walled garden at Drum Castle - geograph.org.uk - 3128973.jpg|North-East corner of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle
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The southern boundary of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle - geograph.org.uk - 3128922.jpg| Southern boundary of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle
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Drum Castle chapel, Drumoak, Aberdeenshire.jpg|Drum Castle Chapel
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Drum Castle chapel interior & altar, Drumoak, Aberdeenshire.jpg| Drum Castle chapel Interior & Altar
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</gallery>
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==Outside links==
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*[https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/drum-castle Drum Castle] at National Trust of Scotland
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*{{youtube|bkYd6Rk3dmg|Summer Snow - Cottonwood tree at Drum Castle}}
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*{{youtube|vRLcplUV7Zo&t=7s|Views of Drum Castle and chapel}}
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*[https://360castles.com/drum-castle  360 Virtual Tour of Drum Castle Grounds]
  
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{{stub|Kincardineshire}}
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==References==
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{{reflist}}

Latest revision as of 21:06, 30 December 2023

Drum Castle

Kincardineshire

Drum Castle.jpg
Drum Castle
Type: Tower house
Location
Grid reference: NJ795005
Location: 57°5’42"N, 2°20’17"W
Village: Drumoak
History
Built 13th Century
Information
Owned by: National Trust for Scotland
Website: Drum Castle

Drum Castle is a castle near Drumoak in Kincardineshire. For centuries it was the seat of the chief of Clan Irvine. The name 'Drum' is derived from the Gaelic druim, meaning 'ridge'.

The castle is to be found six and a half miles north-east of Banchory and three miles west of Peterculter.

The property is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is opened to the public.

History

The original 13th-century tower of Drum Castle has been suggested as the work of medieval architect Richard Cementarius, who built the Brig o' Balgownie, the first Bridge of Don, in Old Aberdeen. It is believed to be one of the three oldest tower houses (and notably unaltered). A large wing was added in 1619 by the 9th laird, and further alterations were made during the Victorian era.

The castle and its grounds were granted to William de Irwyn in 1323 by Robert the Bruce, and remained in the possession of Clan Irvine until 1975. William de Irwyn (of the Irvings of Bonshaw clan) was armour bearer/secretary (and neighbour) to King Robert the Bruce. In June 1636 Sir Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum and his wife Magdalene Scrimgeour were censured for harbouring the outlaw Gilderoy.[1] Drum played a role in the Covenanting Rebellion (as did nearby Muchalls Castle) leading to its being attacked and sacked three times.

The castle in 1829 (by John Preston Neale)

In the 19th century, it was the home of Alexander Forbes Irvine of Drum FRSE (1818-1892).[2] He had inherited the estate in 1861, on the death of his father. In 1875/1876, he arranged for a restoration of the courtyard, and the addition of an arched entrance and angle tower. He was also partly responsible for a restoration of the chapel.[3]

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.[4][5]

The site was once served by Drum railway station on the Deeside Railway. Service was discontinued in 1951.

Recent status

The castle is a Category-A Listed property. 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".[6]

The chapel, dining hall and estate may be hired for weddings and corporate functions.

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".[7][8]

The castle, gardens and estate are opened to visitors throughout the year.[9] During 2019, 47,446 people visited the castle.[10]

Area's ancient history

Prehistoric habitation of the local area is known through archaeological sites such as Balbridie. Roman legions marched from Raedykes to nearby Normandykes as they sought higher ground evading the bogs of Red Moss and other low-lying mosses associated with the Burn of Muchalls. That march used the Elsick Mounth, one of the ancient trackways crossing the Grampian Mountains; the situation of the Elsick Mounth terminating at a ford to the River Dee is thought to have been instrumental in the strategic siting of Drum Castle as a point to monitor traffic on the Elsick Mounth[11] lying west of Netherley.

Gallery

  • The Rose Garden at Drum Castle

  • Walled Garden, Drum Castle

  • Gateway of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle

  • North-East corner of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle

  • Southern boundary of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle

  • Drum Castle Chapel

  • Drum Castle chapel Interior & Altar

Outside links

References

  1. ↑ William Fraser, The Chiefs of Grant, vol. 3 (Edinburgh, 1883), pp. 62-3.
  2. ↑ "Alexander F-I 20th Laird of Drum". https://www.geni.com/people/Alexander-F-I-20th-Laird-of-Drum/6000000017361052296. 
  3. ↑ Drum Castle Chapel
  4. ↑ Drum Castle, Chapel - Listing detail (Historic Environment Scotland)
  5. ↑ Drum Castle Chapel
  6. ↑ Drum Castle - Listing: Inventory of Gardens & Designed Landscapes
  7. ↑ Drum Castle
  8. ↑ Drum Castle Highlights
  9. ↑ Drum Castle, Garden and Estate
  10. ↑ "ALVA - Association of Leading Visitor Attractions". https://www.alva.org.uk/details.cfm?p=423. 
  11. ↑ Megalithic Portal: Elsick Mounth
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