The association of the Douglas family with Drumlanrig is a lengthy one, dating back to the 14th Century when William, the son of James, 2nd Earl of Drumlanrig who died at Otterburn in 1388, became 1st Laird of Drumlanrig.  For generations the Douglas family was close to the monarchy, a relationship which stood the test of difficult times and which benefited both monarchy and Douglas family alike.

A Douglas stood as hostage for James I, who was a prisoner of the English.  Another died with his sovereign, James IV, at Flodden in 1513.  The relationship had its stormy element, however:  James Douglas was one of the lords who drove Mary Queen of Scots out of the country in 1567.  Still, matters were to improve:  Mary's son, James VI and I, visited Drumlanrig in 1617.

Things improved still more for the family with William, 3rd Earl of Queensberry, who was a loyal and reliable servant of Charles II and his successors.  Created 1st Duke of Queensberry in 1684, William resolved to build a home in keeping with his status.  The result was Drumlanrig Castle, a tribute to the vision of its builder and to the successive members of the Douglas family who have preserved Drumlanrig Castle for posterity in all its beauty and grandeur.

To read the story of the Douglases and Drumlanrig in more detail, please click here ...

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