Drumlanrig Castle#Art collection

{{Infobox museum

| name = Drumlanrig Castle

| image = N side of Drumlanrig Castle - geograph.org.uk - 339604.jpg

| caption = Front of Drumlanrig Castle

| alt = View of the front of Drumlanrig Castle, looking slightly up, standing near the fencing separating the castle itself from the public

| map_type = Scotland

| map_size = 250

| established = 14th century

| location = Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, United Kingdom

| coordinates = {{coord|55.274|-3.810|region:GB|display=inline,title}}

| owner = Montagu-Douglas-Scott Dukes of Buccleuch and Queensberry

| website = [https://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk drumlanrigcastle.co.uk]

}}

Drumlanrig Castle is situated on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The category A listed castle is the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry.{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB3886|desc=Drumlanrig Castle, Outbuildings and Pavilion Blocks Piers, Balustrades and Quadrant Walls and Garden Urns|cat=A|access-date=20 March 2019}} As of September 2023, the castle itself is open to the public during very limited times of the year,{{Cite web |title=Castle Tours {{!}} Dumfries & Galloway |url=https://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/attraction/tour-a-scottish-castle/ |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=Drumlanrig Castle |language=en-GB}} with the surroundings, such as the stableyard and adventure playground being open nearly all year round.{{Cite web |title=The Adventure Playground |url=https://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/attraction/adventure-playground/ |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=Drumlanrig Castle |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Discover the Stableyard Craft Workshops |url=https://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/attractions/discover-stableyard-craft-workshops/ |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=Drumlanrig Castle |language=en-GB}} Walking, hiking, and cycling routes are open all year long,{{Cite web |title=Walking and Hiking Routes |url=https://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/outdoor-activities/walking-and-hiking/ |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=Drumlanrig Castle |language=en-GB}} unless officially closed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as in 2021 due damage inflicted by Storm Arwen.{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/DrumlanrigCastle/posts/pfbid02Fbvp6fCLtHmhAGn7KqrJTEUovrAQvAqpUHxE6rRhPvjHXa3NwN7g2zCtkCRb7tL9l |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=www.facebook.com}}

Construction

The 'Pink Palace' of Drumlanrig,{{cite news |author1=William Tinning |author2=Alison Chiesa |title=Low security of viewing scheme that avoids inheritance duty didn't deter raiders of the Pink Palace |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/tax-break-for-the-pink-palace-raiders-low-security-of-viewing-scheme-that-avoids-inheritance-duty-1.109789 |publisher=The Herald |date=27 August 2003 |access-date=8 March 2022}} constructed between 1679 and 1689 from distinctive pink sandstone,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/3571266/Princess-Alice-no-Victorian-but-eminent-none-the-less.html |title=Princess Alice: no Victorian, but eminent none the less |publisher=Telegraph |date=24 December 2001 |access-date=27 December 2011 |location=London |first=Kenneth |last=Rose}} is an example of late 17th-century Renaissance architecture. The first Duke of Queensberry, William Douglas, had the castle built on the site of an ancient Douglas stronghold overlooking the Nith Valley.{{cite web|url=http://www.drumlanrig.com/default.asp?Pageid=38 |title=The Castle |access-date=27 December 2011}} The castle has 120 rooms, 17 turrets and four towers.

In 1984, aerial photography revealed the outline of a substantial Roman fort some {{convert|350|yards}} to the southeast of Drumlanrig Castle. The fort was partially excavated in 2004 by the Time Team television programme.{{cite web |url=https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/our-work/drumlanrig-castle |title=Drumlanrig Castle |website=wessexarch.co.uk |publisher=Wessex Archaeology |access-date=25 August 2023}}

Gardens

A formal garden was created between 1675 and 1697 to the principles of the architect Sir William Bruce and appear to be similar to the garden plans for Kinross House and Balcaskie. The gardens were enclosed by stone walls and included six stone pavilions each with lead ogee roofs matching the main building. Water features in the garden included a "clanging clock". In 1695 when the second duke inherited the estate he employed a James Wood son of Hew Wood of Hamilton as a gardener, and sent him to London in 1696 for further training. He failed to return and the duke instead employed a Dutch gardener named Cornelius van Nerven. In 1698 a summer house and water cascades were added. The third duke employed a David Low as gardener from 1714 to 1747. This period had the creation of more landscape features plus a bowling green (an early example of such). During this period Sir John Clerk of Penicuik designed the water cascades which were added 1728 to 1732.Scotland's Lost Gardens by Marilyn Brown ISBN 978-1-902419-947

Following the death of David Low, the head gardener, in 1747, the number of gardeners was reduced to eight to ten men, and the new head gardener was paid less than Low. The gardens were allowed to be less maintained and by 1810 there was a decision made to remove the formal gardens.Scotland's Lost Gardens by Marilyn Brown ISBN 978-1-902419-947

Art collection

The castle is home to part of the Buccleuch art collection which includes Rembrandt's An Old Woman Reading,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1562180/The-Duke-of-Buccleuch.html |title=The Duke of Buccleuch |publisher=Telegraph |date=5 September 2007 |access-date=27 December 2011 |location=London}} and Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna of the Yarnwinder, which was stolen in 2003 and returned in 2007 after being found in Glasgow,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8314509.stm |title=Trial date for da Vinci accused |work=BBC News |date=19 October 2009 |access-date=27 December 2011}} and many other paintings, tapestries and objects of art. The Madonna of the Yarnwinder is currently on loan at the Scottish National Gallery.

Surrounding Attractions

The castle features attractions for both tourists and local residents, situated in the former stable yard, and in an off-section of the rear gardens. These include the Stableyard Studios with a range of local businesses, a tearoom and an adventure playground.{{Cite web |title=Drumlanrig Castle - Tearoom and Larchwood Cabin, Thornhill – Cafes & Tearooms |url=https://www.visitscotland.com/info/food-drink/drumlanrig-castle-tearoom-and-larchwood-cabin-p849791 |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=www.visitscotland.com |language=en}}

Etymology

The earliest record for Drumlanrig is from 1384, spelled Drumlangryg. There are a number of possible etymologies for the name. It may represent Cumbric drum 'ridge' + -lanerc 'small area of cleared woodland'. However, the first element may also be Gaelic druim 'ridge', either added to a Cumbric name or to Scots *lang-rigg 'long ridge'.{{Cite book |title=The Brittonic Language in the Old North: A Guide to the Place-name Evidence |last=James |first=Alan G. |year=2014 |pages=152 |url=http://www.spns.org.uk/resources/the-brittonic-language-in-the-old-north/ |volume=2: Guide to the Elements |access-date=27 March 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105542/http://www.spns.org.uk/resources/the-brittonic-language-in-the-old-north/ |archive-date=28 March 2017 |url-status=dead}}

Gallery

File:DrumlaningCastle.jpg|Drumlanrig Castle side on view looking at the right-hand side

File:Castelodedrumlanrig.jpg|Drumlanrig Castle illustration in 1880

File:Drumlanrig plan.jpg|Original plan. The building extends 145 ft (44m)

File:Drumlanrig elevation.jpg|Planned front entrance illustration

File:Drumlanrig Castle Garden.jpg|Drumlanrig Castle side on view looking at the left-hand side

File:Car Park at Drumlanrig Castle - geograph.org.uk - 5090940.jpg|Main/Front car park, looking down from Stableyard towards front gate to Castle itself, as well as road towards Adventure Playground

File:The Stableyard Studios, Drumlanrig Castle - geograph.org.uk - 5091771.jpg|View inside the Stableyard, towards the rear, facing an exit as well as the general direction of the Castle