Drum Castle

Overview

Drum Castle is the oldest intact building in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Drum Castle is a jumbled collection of adjoining buildings from different periods. The core of the castle is a 13th century tower, to which the Irvine Family then added a Jacobean Mansion, and then some civilized Victorian dwellings. 

Drum Castle's Tower, which you can climb to get views from, is still in its medieval state with unglazed windows, bare stone walls and earth floors. The spiral stair way in the tower is narrow and the stairs that lead to the roof of the tower are very steep. The Tower has a separate entrance from the main castle so make sure that you don't miss it.

In addition to the Tower at Drum Castle, you can see several rooms in the later Jacobean and Victorian sections of the castle, which are all furnished with antiques. Guides are available in some of these rooms if you wish to ask questions.

Drum Castle also has it owns Chapel situated in the gardens which are worth exploring if the weather is on your side.

In our opinion, Drum Castle is not quite as interesting as nearby Crathes Castle or Castle Fraser. However, the castle is easily accessible from Aberdeen and there are often interesting events taking place at the castle.