Turning off the road between Crieff and Muthill you drive up a narrow road squeezing through old woodland and rocky outcrops. Eventually the road passes the tall stone walls of the castle and into the carpark. Once parked (there are toilets here in the car park), a short walk to the entrance takes you between tall imposing stone gates. Paying at the gate house you walk through the arch and turn to your right and are blown away by the sight laid out in front of you. Laid out below the castle terrace is a glorious garden of parterres, trees and shrubs. This formal garden is worth visiting at any time of year when open. We visited in late summer when the bedding was still full of colour. I've visited twice before, once as a student in ahem 1988 and then after I'd left college, probably about 1991, so as you can see its rather a long time ago and I was well over due a visit, and who better to go with than my two sidekicks.
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| The colourful acers stand out against the green topiary |
The earliest castle was built at Drummond in 1490 by John, 1st Lord Drummond. Between 1630 and 1636 the 2nd earl who was privy councillor to James VI and Charles the second is credited transforming the castle and gardens. At the end of the 17th century the 4th Earl started planting a 4 tree wide avenue and one of the gardeners he employed at the time wrote the first Scottish Garden book "The Scots Gard'ner" in 1683.
The Jacobite rebellions and the Dukes of Drummonds involvement put a halt to any developments of the estate until the late 18th Century. In the early 19th century, the parterre and formal terraces infront of the castle were re-established under the ownership of Clemantina Drummond and her husband who employed Lewis Kennedy of the Vineyard Nursery in Hammersmith to recreate the gardens. The old keep still stands but the rest of the castle was remodelled in 1890.
Despite changing gardening tastes, Drummond castle gardens continued in their existing format. After the second world war and a fall in man power, the decision was taken to simplify the gardens. Some of the ground was cleared, but significant features such as the magnificent yews and two copper beach planted by Queen Victoria when she visited were kept. In 1978 a trust was formed to maintain the castle, gardens and surrounding park land for future generations. The gardens have been used in films and TV series including Rob Roy and more recently the TV series Outlander.
The day we visited was warm and sunny, perfect for such a colourful and interesting garden. Another bonus is Drummond is dog friendly so Bracken could come too. The gardens are accessed down the stone stair case to the bottom level. We wandered along the main path that runs down the centre of the garden and then over the afternoon explored left and right. The bees were lazily buzzing amongst the lavender in the sun as we walked by.
The gardens are laid out in parterres, these are formal gardens laid out on a level area and made up of beds enclosed by box hedging, separated by gravel or grass. Now, because of box blight other plants are often used instead. These box hedges form crisp outlines and geometric patterns. Planted within the hedges are annuals, bedding and other colourful and interesting plants. When we visited, annuals especially Antirrhinums were the main plants in flower, there were also roses and lavender filling the borders.
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| Anthirrhinum flowers |
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| Lavander flowers being enjoyed by bees |
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| Looking back towards the castle |
Roses also make a frequent appearance in the parterre beds. Forming a blousy, loose habit above the tightly pruned box, around the fountain complimenting pale white roses with a hint of pink helped set off the whole area. In other areas red roses fill borders, creating bright spots of colour amongst all the different greens.
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Where Bracken meets a robomower, much of the lawns are kept rimmed by
a robo mower. Bracken really wasn't sure about it all.
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| Follys and fountains |
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| Its all about the vista |
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| Great skies too |
To the outer edges of the garden are many mature specimen trees, many of them Japanese acers and conifers. As well as adding height to the garden they provide interest in winter and spectacular autumn colour from the acers. Many of the conifers have been trimmed into to tall columnar shapes.
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| Acers and conifers provide year round interest |
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| The shade of mature trees is also welcome on hot summer days |
Heading to the east of the parterre garden is a walk over a bridge and around the wee lake. Watch out for Crocadiles! Bracken didn't know what to make of this one. Beyond the formal gardens you can walk up into the woodland on the other side of the valley and to the top of the sloping grass vista where great views of the castle are to be had looking back. We didn't walk to the top of the hill that day, but something to come back and do another day.
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| Bracken meets a crocadile |
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| Looking back towards the castle over the lake |
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| enjoying a seat in the sun |
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| Looking back towards the castle |
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| Fuchsia cover the banks up towards the castle |
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| Time to go and get some lunch in Crieff |
The gardens are well worth a visit as you can see. We spent a lovely two to three hours exploring and enjoying a seat in the sun. The town of Crieff is close by and has plenty eateries if you are looking for lunch or a coffee and cake. You can read more about the gardens and when they are open here:
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