Drumlanrig Castle

Last updated

Drumlanrig Castle
N side of Drumlanrig Castle - geograph.org.uk - 339604.jpg
Front of Drumlanrig Castle
Scotland location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Scotland
Established14th century
Location Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, United Kingdom
Coordinates 55°16′26″N3°48′36″W / 55.274°N 3.810°W / 55.274; -3.810
OwnerMontagu-Douglas-Scott Dukes of Buccleuch and Queensberry
Website drumlanrigcastle.co.uk

Drumlanrig Castle is situated on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The category A listed castle is the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. [1] As of September 2023, the castle itself is open to the public during very limited times of the year, [2] with the surroundings, such as the stableyard and adventure playground being open nearly all year round. [3] [4] Walking, hiking, and cycling routes are open all year long, [5] unless officially closed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as in 2021 due damage inflicted by Storm Arwen. [6]

Contents

Construction

The 'Pink Palace' of Drumlanrig, [7] constructed between 1679 and 1689 from distinctive pink sandstone, [8] is an example of late 17th-century Renaissance architecture. The first Duke of Queensberry, William Douglas, had the castle built on the site of an ancient Douglas stronghold overlooking the Nith Valley. [9] The castle has 120 rooms, 17 turrets and four towers. [10]

In 1984, aerial photography revealed the outline of a substantial Roman fort some 350 yards (320 m) to the southeast of Drumlanrig Castle. The fort was partially excavated in 2004 by the Time Team television programme. [11]

Gardens

A formal garden was created between 1675 and 1697 to the principles of the architect Sir William Bruce and appear to be similar to the garden plans for Kinross House and Balcaskie. The gardens were enclosed by stone walls and included six stone pavilions each with lead ogee roofs matching the main building. Water features in the garden included a "clanging clock". In 1695 when the second duke inherited the estate he employed a James Wood son of Hew Wood of Hamilton as a gardener, and sent him to London in 1696 for further training. He failed to return and the duke instead employed a Dutch gardener named Cornelius van Nerven. In 1698 a summer house and water cascades were added. The third duke employed a David Low as gardener from 1714 to 1747. This period had the creation of more landscape features plus a bowling green (an early example of such). During this period Sir John Clerk of Penicuik designed the water cascades which were added 1728 to 1732. [12]

Following the death of David Low, the head gardener, in 1747, the number of gardeners was reduced to eight to ten men, and the new head gardener was paid less than Low. The gardens were allowed to be less maintained and by 1810 there was a decision made to remove the formal gardens. [13]

Art collection

The castle is home to part of the Buccleuch art collection which includes Rembrandt's An Old Woman Reading , [10] and Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna of the Yarnwinder , which was stolen in 2003 and returned in 2007 after being found in Glasgow, [14] and many other paintings, tapestries and objects of art. The Madonna of the Yarnwinder is currently on loan at the Scottish National Gallery.

Surrounding Attractions

The castle features attractions for both tourists and local residents, situated in the former stable yard, and in an off-section of the rear gardens. These include the Stableyard Studios with a range of local businesses, a tearoom and an adventure playground. [3] [4] [15]

Etymology

The earliest record for Drumlanrig is from 1384, spelled Drumlangryg. There are a number of possible etymologies for the name. It may represent Cumbric drum 'ridge' + -lanerc 'small area of cleared woodland'. However, the first element may also be Gaelic druim 'ridge', either added to a Cumbric name or to Scots *lang-rigg 'long ridge'. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway</span> Village in rural lowland Scotland

Thornhill is a village in the Mid Nithsdale area of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, south of Sanquhar and north of Dumfries on the main A76 road. Thornhill sits in the Nithsdale valley with the Carsphairn and Scaur range to the west and the Lowther hills to the east. It was initially a small village, planned and built in 1717 on the Queensberry Estate on the road linking Dumfries to Glasgow. The Earl of Queensberry initially named the village 'New Dalgarnock' however the name did not achieve popular approval.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duke of Buccleuch</span> Scottish title of nobility

Duke of Buccleuch, formerly also spelt Duke of Buccleugh, is a title in the Peerage of Scotland created twice on 20 April 1663, first for James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, and second suo jure for his wife Anne Scott, 4th Countess of Buccleuch. Monmouth, the eldest illegitimate son of King Charles II, was attainted after rebelling against his uncle King James II and VII, but his wife's title was unaffected and passed on to their descendants, who have successively borne the surnames Scott, Montagu-Scott, Montagu Douglas Scott and Scott again. In 1810, the 3rd Duke of Buccleuch inherited the Dukedom of Queensberry, also in the Peerage of Scotland, thus separating that title from the Marquessate of Queensberry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duke of Queensberry</span> Title in the Peerage of Scotland

The title Duke of Queensberry was created in the Peerage of Scotland on 3 February 1684 along with the subsidiary title Marquess of Dumfriesshire for the 1st Marquess of Queensberry. The Dukedom was held along with the Marquessate of Queensberry until the death of the 4th Duke in 1810, when the Marquessate was inherited by Sir Charles Douglas of Kelhead, 5th Baronet, while the Dukedom was inherited by the 3rd Duke of Buccleuch. Since then the title of Duke of Queensberry has been held by the Dukes of Buccleuch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch</span> Scottish politician and nobleman

Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch, 7th Duke of Queensberry,, styled Lord Eskdail between 1808 and 1812 and Earl of Dalkeith between 1812 and 1819, was a prominent Scottish nobleman, landowner and politician. He was Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal from 1842 to 1846 and Lord President of the Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Scott, 9th Duke of Buccleuch</span> Scottish politician

Walter Francis John Montagu Douglas Scott, 9th Duke of Buccleuch and 11th Duke of Queensberry, was a Scottish peer, politician and landowner. He served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in the Second World War, and represented Edinburgh North in the House of Commons for 13 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Scott</span> Scottish clan

Clan Scott is a Scottish clan and is recognised as such by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Historically the clan was based in the Scottish Borders.

<i>Madonna of the Yarnwinder</i> Composition by Leonardo da Vinci

The Madonna of the Yarnwinder is a subject depicted by Leonardo da Vinci in at least one, and perhaps two paintings begun in 1499 or later. Leonardo was recorded as being at work on one such picture in Florence in 1501 for Florimond Robertet, a secretary to King Louis XII of France. This may have been delivered to the French court in 1507, though scholars are divided on this point. The subject is known today from several versions of which two, called the Buccleuch Madonna and the Lansdowne Madonna, are thought to be partly by Leonardo's hand. The underdrawings of both paintings show similar experimental changes made to the composition, suggesting that both evolved concurrently in Leonardo's workshop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Douglas</span> Lowland Scottish clan

Clan Douglas is an ancient clan or noble house from the Scottish Lowlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Scott, 10th Duke of Buccleuch</span> Scottish nobleman, b. 1954

Richard Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott, 10th Duke of Buccleuch and 12th Duke of Queensberry,, styled as Lord Eskdaill until 1973 and as Earl of Dalkeith from 1973 until 2007, is a Scottish landholder and peer. He is the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, as well as Chief of Clan Scott. He is a descendant of James, Duke of Monmouth, the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II and his mistress, Lucy Walter, and more remotely in a direct male line from Alan of Dol, who arrived in Britain in 1066 with William the Conqueror.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morton Castle</span>

Morton Castle is located by an artificial loch in the hills above Nithsdale, in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland. It lies 2.5 miles (4 km) north-east of Thornhill, and once formed part of a chain of castles along the strategically important Nith Valley, which runs from the Solway Firth north to the Clyde Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carronbridge</span>

Carronbridge is a village in the parish of Morton in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The village is at the junction of the A76 and A702 roads approximately 1 mile (2 km) north of Thornhill. The hamlet of Enterkinfoot lies slightly to the north. To the west of the village the Carron Water flows into the River Nith. Carronbridge Sawmill is in the village and is a Category B listed building built in the 1850s for the Duke of Buccleuch's Drumlanrig estate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Durisdeer</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Durisdeer is a small village in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland, and in the historic county of Dumfries-shire. It lies 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Thornhill, above the Carron Water, a tributary of the Nith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thornhill railway station (Scotland)</span> Former railway station in Scotland

Thornhill is a closed station. It served the country town of Thornhill in Dumfries and Galloway. The station site is a mile or so from the town. Four miles north of Thornhill is Drumlanrig Castle, home to the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. The Glasgow and South Western main line rail route between Kilmarnock and Dumfries is forced to make a long detour to the east of Thornhill and through a long tunnel, rather than the more logical route nearer Thornhill town centre and up the Nith Valley, so as not to be seen from the Buccleuch estate. The distance of the station from Thornhill may be one reason that passenger use was light and stopping services ended in 1965. There was formerly a busy livestock market near to the station, which eventually closed around 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bowhill House</span> Country house in the Scottish Borders, UK

Bowhill House is a historic house near Bowhill at Selkirk in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. It is a member of the Historic Houses Association, and is one of the homes of the Duke of Buccleuch. The house is protected as a Category A listed building, and the grounds are listed on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry</span> Scottish nobleman (1724–1810)

William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry, was a Scottish noble landowner. He was popularly known as Old Q and was reputed as a high-stakes gambler. In 1799 he was estimated the eighth-wealthiest man in Britain, owning £1M. He is one of ten known British millionaires that year, the royal family excluded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drumlanrig</span>

Drumlanrig is a settlement in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, which is best known for nearby Drumlanrig Castle.

Events from the year 2003 in Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enterkinfoot</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Enterkinfoot is a small village or hamlet which lies 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Thornhill on the A76 on the route to Sanquhar, in Dumfriesshire, Durisdeer Parish, in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland. Its original nucleus was the old mill with associated buildings, the school and the famous Enterkin Pass and path that followed the course of the Enterkin Glen to Wanlockhead and from there to Edinburgh. The site features the A76 that runs through the centre of Enterkinfoot, the River Nith and the Enterkin Burn that once powered the mill before joining the Nith. The area is famous for its association with the Covenanters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eildon Hall (Scottish Borders)</span> House in Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK

Eildon Hall, near St Boswells, Roxburghshire, is one of the houses belonging to the Dukes of Buccleuch and Queensbury. It is located at the foot of Eildon Hill, just south of the town of Melrose in the Scottish Borders. Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester is very descriptive of Eildon Hall, her childhood home, in her memoirs. She describes it as a "Georgian house with Victorian additions, made from the local coral pink sandstone," and "standing 600 feet above sea level." She also describes the view from the house as a "wonderful view of the valley below stretching away to the Cheviots thirty miles distant."

Elizabeth Marion Frances Montagu Douglas Scott, Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry, styled Countess of Dalkeith between 1981 and 2007, was a Scottish peeress and philanthropist.

References

  1. ↑ Historic Environment Scotland. "Drumlanrig Castle, Outbuildings and Pavilion Blocks Piers, Balustrades and Quadrant Walls and Garden Urns (Category A Listed Building) (LB3886)" . Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  2. ↑ "Castle Tours | Dumfries & Galloway". Drumlanrig Castle. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  3. 1 2 "The Adventure Playground". Drumlanrig Castle. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Discover the Stableyard Craft Workshops". Drumlanrig Castle. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "Walking and Hiking Routes". Drumlanrig Castle. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  7. ↑ William Tinning; Alison Chiesa (27 August 2003). "Low security of viewing scheme that avoids inheritance duty didn't deter raiders of the Pink Palace". The Herald . Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  8. ↑ Rose, Kenneth (24 December 2001). "Princess Alice: no Victorian, but eminent none the less". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  9. ↑ "The Castle" . Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  10. 1 2 "The Duke of Buccleuch". London: Telegraph. 5 September 2007. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "Drumlanrig Castle". wessexarch.co.uk. Wessex Archaeology. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  12. ↑ Scotland's Lost Gardens by Marilyn Brown ISBN 978-1-902419-947
  13. ↑ Scotland's Lost Gardens by Marilyn Brown ISBN 978-1-902419-947
  14. ↑ "Trial date for da Vinci accused". BBC News. 19 October 2009. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  15. ↑ "Drumlanrig Castle - Tearoom and Larchwood Cabin, Thornhill – Cafes & Tearooms". www.visitscotland.com. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  16. ↑ James, Alan G. (2014). The Brittonic Language in the Old North: A Guide to the Place-name Evidence. Vol. 2: Guide to the Elements. p. 152. Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.