Drumlanrig Castle
History
Drumlanrig Castle spans over 600 years of Douglas and later Buccleuch history. Initially a 14th century stronghold, it became a 17th century Renaissance-style mansion, known as the “Pink Palace.” Drumlanrig comes from Cumbric or Gaelic, likely meaning "Long Ridge."
The barony of Drumlanrig was held by James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas and Mar. He died at the Battle of Otterburn in 1388. The estate then passed to his illegitimate son, William Douglas, 1st Laird of Drumlanrig.
Originally, a Roman stronghold stood on the site. The Douglas family built the first tower-house-style castle here around 1357. They received the land in Nithsdale as a grant from King Robert the Bruce.
In the summer of 1549, during the Rough Wooing, English forces under Henry Wharton raided Upper Nithsdale. After James Douglas refused to align with the English, they attacked the castle and seized 480 oxen and cows from Douglas as part of the broader raids.
The Douglases supported Mary, Queen of Scots, when she stayed at the castle in 1563. However, in 1567, James Douglas joined the Lords who drove Mary out of Scotland, though the family mostly continued to support her. Because they backed the Queen, forces under the Earl of Morton and others destroyed the castle in 1575, in the aftermath of the Marian Civil War.
After these events, builders reconstructed the castle in a courtyard style before King James VI, Mary's son, visited in 1617, reaffirming the royal bond.
After the Battle of Dunbar in September 1650, Scottish Covenanters, opposed to Charles II, attacked and occupied the castle in October. They besieged the castle, burned the gates, and plundered the land. They took or destroyed corn, cattle, and other items belonging to James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Queensbury, and his son, William.
Between 1679 and 1691, William Douglas, 3rd Earl of Queensbury, built a new castle on the site of the medieval castle. In 1684, he became the 1st Duke of Queensbury for supporting King Charles II. The castle, in the Renaissance style, features pink sandstone and Scottish baronial elements: four ranges around an open courtyard, with corner towers and pepper-pot turrets.
The Duke reportedly spent only one night in the castle and disliked it. He returned to Sanquhar Castle, where he died in 1695. His son James, 2nd Duke of Queensbury, moved his seat to Drumlanrig, leaving Sanquhar to decay into ruins.
In 1745, Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) and his men stayed at Drumlanrig Castle during their retreat from Derby. During their stay, his forces damaged the building and slashed a portrait of William of Orange. As the 18th century progressed, the castle fell into neglect.
In 1810, William, 4th Duke of Queensbury (Old Q), died without an heir. As a result, Henry, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch, inherited Drumlanrig and the Queensbury titles and estates, uniting the Douglas and Scott lines into the Montagu-Douglas-Scott family.
The name Buccleuch dates back to the 10th century. Legend says King Kenneth III was hunting in a deep ravine, or “cleuch,” when a young buck charged him. John Scott seized the buck by the antlers and wrestled it down, saving the King's life. From that day, the Scotts were called Buck Cleuch, the buck from the ravine, and were rewarded for their bravery.
A few years later, in 1827, the castle was restored after it passed to the Scott Dukes of Buccleuch. During this restoration, the service wings were added.
In the 20th century, the castle operated as an auxiliary hospital during World War I and sheltered a relocated school during World War II.
Castle Highlights
Drumlanrig Castle is regarded as one of the finest examples of 17th century architecture in Scotland, with breathtaking views across Nithsdale near Thornhill.
The castle is still home to the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensbury, the Montagu-Douglas-Scott family. The only way to see inside is on a guided tour. Tours run in July and August and sell out quickly, so booking in advance is highly recommended.
The castle is a courtyard castle, square in shape, with a courtyard at its center. It stands four stories high and features seventeen turrets and four corner towers.
The castle houses the Buccleuch Art Collection, with works by Rembrandt, Holbein, Gainsborough, Reynolds, and others. The collection also includes tapestries, furniture, silver, and the Drumlanrig Jewel.
The castle's formal gardens are among Scotland's finest. The estate also offers an adventure playground for kids, walking trails, parkland, and woodland. All are accessible year-round.
The castle was used as a filming location for Bellhurst Manor in season two of Outlander.
Drumlanrig Castle is also haunted.
