The Castle RollsA survey of every visitable castle in the United Kingdom
4.6 / 5 · 2,006 reviews TICKETED

Drumlanrig Castle

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland


Drumlanrig Castle
Drumlanrig Castle, further view Drumlanrig Castle, further view

Key facts

Operator
Buccleuch Estates (Duke of Buccleuch)
Condition
Intact
Access
Staffed, ticketed

Pinpoint

Thornhill DG3 4AQ

Telephone 01848 331555

Possible Opening hours

Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.

Monday9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

A grand pink sandstone castle at the heart of a working Buccleuch Estates estate, offering seasonal tours of the interior alongside a much wider programme, snowdrop walks, clay pigeon shooting, trout fishing, that reviewers say can fill a whole visit without setting foot inside the castle at all. The pink sandstone architecture and formal grounds draw comparisons to the grandest of Scotland's stately homes.

Worth the trip

The pink sandstone architecture — reviewers consistently pick out the distinctive colour and grand scale of the building as its defining feature.

Before you go

Check what's running on the day you visit, since the estate programmes activities like the snowdrop walk, clay pigeon shooting and trout fishing separately from the castle tour — you can have a full day here without ever going inside the building.

WHAT VISITORS SAY · 4.6 / 5 across 2,006 Google reviews

Reviewers consistently praise the Drumlanrig estate's grounds — gardens, woodland walks, a play area, a tea room and activities like clay pigeon shooting and trout fishing — and several single out the staff as exceptionally caring, including one account of the team going out of their way to help a family stranded with car trouble. One visitor was disappointed to drive a long way and find the castle itself closed because filming was taking place, so it's worth checking opening status before a special trip.

Seasonal castle tours; country estate and gardens

“From outside looks great u come off the motorway and drive for miles just to find out all is closed as they filming some show . Bit disappointing. We saw sign and decided to go. Maybe next time will be better”— Maria Wozniak, visitor review

Further reading

book
Castles of the Clans

Martin Coventry

Find it on Amazon
Scotland's Castles cover book
Scotland's Castles

Chris Tabraham

Find it on Amazon
The Castles of Scotland cover book
The Castles of Scotland

Martin Coventry

Find it on Amazon