Drum Castle
One of Scotland's oldest intact towers, a 13th-century square keep joined to a 17th-century mansion, with a historic rose garden.
Drum Castle lies about 16 km west of Aberdeen. In 1323 Robert the Bruce granted it to the Irvine family, who lived here for roughly 650 years. The square keep built at the end of the 13th century is considered one of the oldest intact towers in Scotland. In the 17th century a Jacobean-style mansion was added, containing a library and family collections. The Historic Rose Garden displays old rose varieties grouped by period, from the 17th to the 20th century, and is at its best in June and July. Nearby is the old Drum oak woodland trail. Managed by the NTS (National Trust for Scotland), admission to the castle is about £13. The gardens and woodland are open year-round. It is about a 20-minute drive, and it pairs well with Craigievar Castle on the same day.
Opening hours
Castle open about April–October; gardens year-round (check the official website)
Nearby sights
- Crathes Castle
- Castle Fraser
- Stonehaven
- Gordon Highlanders Museum
- Dunnottar Castle
- Fowlsheugh RSPB Reserve
- Duthie Park & David Welch Winter Gardens
- Aberdeen Art Gallery