The Drum, Category A listed country house in Gilmerton, Scotland
The Drum is a Palladian-style country house near Edinburgh featuring two stories of stone construction arranged in classical proportions. The building displays a three-part central block clad in cream-colored polished ashlar with a rusticated basement level beneath.
William Adam designed this house between 1726 and 1734 for Lord Somerville, building upon earlier structures that John Mylne created in 1584. The following decades brought elaborate interior transformations that reflected changing styles in Scottish architecture.
The name comes from the building's distinctive round shape, which remains its defining characteristic. Visitors can explore the carefully arranged rooms that reveal how the household lived and entertained guests.
The house sits about 4 miles from Edinburgh's city center with straightforward access via the A720 City Bypass. Nearby parking and local shops make it convenient to visit the site.
The entrance vestibule and stair hall showcase ornate Baroque plasterwork by Samuel Calderwood from 1736 with exceptional craftsmanship. The ground-floor rooms feature Rococo-style ceiling paintings and stucco paneling that remain among the finest interior details preserved here.
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