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The square medieval tower of Drum beside its Jacobean house, across the lawn under an oak.
Aberdeenshire

Drum Castle

One of Scotland's oldest tower houses, at Drumoak on Deeside, given with the Royal Forest of Drum to the Irvines by Robert the Bruce in 1323, with a Jacobean mansion, a library and a garden of historic roses.

Welcome

At Drumoak, on the wooded slopes above the Dee, a plain square tower of granite has stood for more than 700 years.

It is one of the oldest tower houses in Scotland. In 1323 Robert the Bruce gave the tower and the Royal Forest of Drum to William de Irwyn, his armour-bearer, and the Irvines kept it for the next 650 years.

The family added a Jacobean mansion alongside the old tower, and in Victorian times turned its vaulted lower hall into a library, now holding some 4,000 books. A little chapel, built in the 1500s, stands in the grounds, and tales of the Jacobites run through the house.

Outside, the walled garden is laid out in four quarters that trace the story of the rose from the 17th century to the 20th, heavy with scent in June and July. Beyond it lies the Old Wood of Drum, the last of the ancient oak forest the king gave away, where red kites, red squirrels and badgers live among trees three centuries old.

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The Daily for 9 November, from Scotland with love. an autumn-wooded loch reflected in still water, rocks breaking the surface in the foreground
A little further outCastle FraserOne of the largest tower houses in Scotland.27 min by roadSee itTurreted grey castle with steep roofs beside a wooden farm gate

Before you go

Castle, walled garden, shop and tearoom open Thursday to Monday, 10.30am to 4pm, until 1 November, then Thursday to Sunday through the winter.

The castle is seen by guided tour, last entry 3.15pm. The grounds and the Old Wood are open dawn to dusk. Adults £18, parking £5; free for National Trust for Scotland members.

Where
Drumoak, half a mile off the A93, AB31 5EY.
Tours
Guided, through the day; last entry 3.15pm.
Grounds
Dawn to dusk, every day.

Opening hours

Monday
10.30am–4pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10.30am–4pm
Friday
10.30am–4pm
Saturday
10.30am–4pm
Sunday
10.30am–4pm

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Where it is

At Drumoak on Deeside, half a mile off the A93 between Peterculter and Banchory.

Close byDeeside.
  1. Symmetrical harled mansion with turret and stepped entrance, framed by lawn and treesDrum Castle WalkUnder a mile 1 min by road
  2. The Mains of Drum's upstairs restaurant, a long room of wooden tables under the roof.The Mains of Drum1 mile 5 min by road
  3. Park ShopPark Shop2 miles 7 min by road
  4. Milton of CrathesMilton of CrathesGalleries, a restaurant and the Deeside steam railway.6 miles 12 min by road
  5. Crathes CastleCrathes CastleA turreted tower house with painted ceilings and yew hedges of 1702.6 miles 16 min by road
Directions
Cattle grazing a field at Easter Anguston below dark woods.AttractionsEaster Anguston Farm2.9 miles
Restaurant dining room with white-clothed tables, wooden chairs and an arched doorwayRestaurantsBorsalino3.0 miles
A standing stone of the Clune Wood circle beneath the Milky Way.AttractionsClune Wood Stone Circle3.3 miles as the crow flies
Yolk General Store's bright room, a blue dresser by a white window under a yellow ceiling.ShoppingYolk General Store5.6 miles
Green steam locomotive engulfed in smoke beside a wooden station platformAttractionsRoyal Deeside Railway5.6 miles
An angler fly-casting on the Dee with a guide at his shoulder.AttractionsTwin Peakes5.7 miles
Maison Castanié, AberdeenshireCafeMaison Castanié5.7 miles
Ivy-covered Milton Art Gallery sign with roses and a "Fresh Flowers £15" chalkboardAttractionsMilton Art Gallery5.7 miles
Turreted stone castle with flag pole, surrounded by autumn trees and lawnsWalksMilton of Crathes to Crathes Castle Walk5.7 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.

A stone farmhouse covered in climbing ivy stands behind a gravel drive, seen through overhanging pine branches.Cuttieshillock
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Glen Dye
  • 11 miles from Drum
Free 9–10 NovA stone steading with a slated pyramid roof and a chimney stands behind a green nameplate sign, a chair visible through the window.No 2 Steading Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 13 miles from Drum
Free 12–13 NovAn aerial view shows a white harled farmhouse with multiple chimneys set beside a gravel courtyard and stone outbuildings.The Coach House
  • Sleeps 12
  • In Strachan
  • 13 miles from Drum
Free 9–10 NovA mint-green sitting room has a cobalt-blue velvet sofa with orange and green cushions, two floor lamps with teal shades either side, a rustic wooden coffee table, and framed abstract and sunset prints on the wall above.The Corner House
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 13 miles from Drum
Free 9–10 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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