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Built in the late 1600s by William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensbury on
the site of the former 14th & 15th century Douglas stronghold,
Drumlanrig is home of the Duke of Buccleuch.
The present Drumlanrig Castle was created as a mansion in the 17th
century, by which time defensive ramparts had given way to comfortable
living and large, airy windows.
An earlier, more defensive castle had been built in the middle of the
14th century by the Douglases. Sir James Douglas (known also as "The
Good" or "Black Douglas") was a right-hand man of Robert the Bruce.
Indeed, he was entrusted with carrying Bruce's heart to the Holy Land
but was killed in a battle with the Moors in Spain while on the way. To
this day, the coat of arms contains a winged heart surmounted by Bruce's
crown.
Drumlanrig is built of local pink sandstone on a hill (Drum) at the end
of a long (lang) ridge (rig) overlooking the Nithsdale Hills and the
valley of the river Nith. It was rebuilt with a central courtyard and
was in a good enough state to receive King James VI on his visit to
Scotland in 1617.
Between 1679 and 1691, William Douglas, the 3rd Earl of Queensberry (he
became 1st Duke of Queensberry in 1684) built a new, large mansion,
following the earlier courtyard layout. Despite almost bankrupting
himself as a result of creating his new home, the Duke spent only one
night in the building, decided he didn't like it - and returned to
Sanquhar Castle! His son, however, moved in after inheriting the title
and estates. Bonnie Prince Charlie spent a night there on his retreat
from Derby.
After being allowed to become derelict in the 18th century, Drumlanrig
passed to the Duke of Buccleuch, head of the Scott family, in 1810,
following a merger of the Douglas and Scott dynasties. The castle was
restored in 1827 and is still the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke of
Buccleuch and Queensberry (though his main residence is at Bowhill House
in the Scottish Borders).
Today, Drumlanrig Castle is the majestic Dumfriesshire family home to
the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry. It is also home to
part of the internationally renowned Buccleuch Art Collection featuring
such treasures as Rembrandt’s The Old Woman Reading as well as many
other fine paintings, tapestries and objects d’art. Grand reception
rooms, magnificent staircases and ornate period features sit happily
beside cosy parlours and the Stableyard, now housing the Stableyard
Studios and Stableyard Cafe.
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We will be visiting this magnificent castle on
Saturday 5th July, where we will be holding our
Clan Muster.
There will be opportunities to visit nearby
Morton Castle and the Queensberry tomb in Durisdeer.
View Douglas History in a larger map |
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