Drumlanrig Castle & Gardens
From Newark Farm, take a trip to Drumlanrig Castle and Gardens, an A listed castle with extensive grounds and attractions.
Drumlanrig Castle is the Dumfriesshire Home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Known to some as the “pink palace” due to the hue of its sandstone walls, the castle is in the Renaissance style and dates to the late 17th century, when it was built for the first Duke of Queensberry.
With its imposing façade, approached by a grand horseshoe staircase, its turrets and towers, the castle accommodates 120 rooms, throughout which Drumlanrig’s substantial collection of artworks, fine furniture and silver is on display.
Forty acres of formal gardens, again established in the 17th century, surround the castle. There are lawns, borders and hard landscaping all displaying a wide variety of well-tended plants, both outdoors and in the restored Victorian glasshouses. In addition there is a Rhododendron collection, Woodland Garden and Victorian rock Garden.
The wider estate offers additional attractions and outdoor pursuits, including an adventure playground, mountain bike trails, walking routes and country sports such as shooting and fishing. A partnership with Scottish Assault Courses provides an extra range of outdoor activities for those seeking more strenuous adventures. The Castle Stableyard hosts local businesses and craftspeople.
In more recent times, Drumlanrig has been seen on television as a location for TV shows Outlander and The Buccaneers and remains available to film and television producers and photographers.
Useful information about Drumlanrig Castle
Location
Drumlanrig Castle is situated on the Queensberry Estate, just off the A76 near the village of Carronbridge, about 4 miles north of Thornhill and around 15 minutes’ drive from Newark Farm.
Accessibility & Pets
The castle has a lift and offers free admission to accompanying carers. Parts of the grounds are suitable for wheelchairs, but the woodland areas may be hard to traverse. It is advisable to contact the Castle Office before visiting or ask a member of staff on site.
Dogs are permitted to visit the Gardens, if kept on a leash, but not in the adventure playground or tearoom.
Events
In addition to guided tours, during its season, Drumlanrig Castle operates a schedule of events, ranging from the regular Toddler Tuesdays play sessions to the Galloway Country Fair and Drumlanrig Offroad Motorsport Festival. See their events page for the latest schedule.
Facilities & Tickets
Advance booking online is advisable for the gardens and essential for castle visits, which are made via guided tours only. Food and refreshments are available at the Larchwood Cabin and the Castle Tearoom; the latter being found in the castle’s grand old kitchens. The tearoom is typically open when the castle is accepting visitors.
The estate is open for walks all year, gardens open from March to October, but the castle is open during the summer months, at the time of writing from the late May bank holiday to early September, Friday-Monday.
It should be noted that outdoor activities can be disrupted by seasonal weather, so it is advisable to check the castle website for more information.
Parking is included if purchasing a ticket, or at a small charge if visiting the walks and trails only. Electric charging stations on the Charge Place Scotland network are available.
Official website
For more information, including current prices and opening times, visit the Drumlanrig Castle official website.
