Drum Castle

Drum Castle is a fortress in Aberdeenshire that combines a 13th-century tower house with later expansions built in different periods. The structure displays thick stone walls and tall windows characteristic of Scottish baronial design.

Robert the Bruce granted the castle and surrounding royal forest to William de Irwyn in 1323 as a reward for loyal service as his armor bearer and secretary. This gift established the foundation for the settlement and the family's connection to the land.

The library displays a collection built during the Victorian era, while the walled garden shows different gardening styles developed over hundreds of years. Visitors can walk through these spaces and see how tastes in plants and garden design changed across the centuries.

The site is accessible year-round across different types of terrain, so plan time to explore both the buildings and the gardens at your own pace. Comfortable shoes help as you navigate between structures and along woodland paths.

The ancient oak forests surrounding the castle are home to red kites and roe deer that have inhabited these lands for generations. Visitors who pause along the woodland paths often spot these animals moving through the trees.

Location: Aberdeenshire

Location: Drumoak

Website: https://nts.org.uk/visit/places/drum-castle

GPS coordinates: 57.09500,-2.33800

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:26