This castle is so old that some of its rooms have been forgotten. However, Drum Castle has recently revealed its secrets.
700 years of castle history were almost destroyed simply because the old tower of Drum Castle was restored with a modern cement. Unlike the old lime mortar, cement is inflexible, does not allow moisture to escape and breaks more easily. However, conservationists only came to this realisation in recent years, and so it happens time and again that the relatively new cement is replaced with traditional lime mortar in old buildings.
This is also the case at Drum Castle. A team led by Jonathan Clarke set to work in July 2013 to restore the old keep – the large defence tower – in this way.
During the work, Clarke noticed something strange: There was a blocked window visible from the outside that could not be reached from the inside. Now this is nothing unusual. In old castles, there are always areas that have simply been sealed off due to various remodelling projects carried out by the lords of the castle over the centuries. In most cases, they were then filled in with rubble to keep the building stable.
Clarke wanted to find out more about this in order to understand the entire structure of the building. He and his team carefully opened the window from the outside – and uncovered a new world.
Inside the tower, he found a whole series of medieval chambers, one of which included a toilet.
The legend of the secret hiding place
Drum Castle was owned by the Clan Irvine for centuries. The family received the land and the defence tower from King Robert the Bruce himself back in 1323. Since then, the owners have extended the castle and altered it time and again.
However, the Irvines were also Jacobites and fought alongside Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden. After the bloody defeat, Alexander Irvine fled back to the castle to his sister. According to legend, she hid him from his pursuers in a secret room for a whole three years.
And now this find. Had Clarke perhaps found Alexander Irvine’s secret hiding place here?
Possibly, but not necessarily. The archaeologists who are now continuing their research have not yet found any evidence of this. But even so, it is exciting enough for historians, because the chambers definitely reveal more about how people lived in the early 14th century.
For example, some of the chambers are probably the area of a large hearth and pantries for food.
The less secret rooms
Of course, Drum Castle has more to offer than just hidden chambers. Inside are beautifully furnished rooms, parlours and libraries that the Irvine family have created over time.
Today, Drum Castle is owned by the National Trust of Scotland. During the summer months, visitors can tour the castle and enjoy a cake in the café at the end.
Knowledge: Construction phases and expensive windows
The castle consists of three areas: the old tower from the 13th century, a residential building from 1619 and other parts from the Victorian era, i.e. the end of the 19th century. The castle also includes large estates. All have their own charm.
If you look at the window sills in Drum Castle, you will recognise small plaques. These are the remains of an old tax, the window tax. Between 1696 and 1851, the British Crown imposed a tax on the number of windows. As a result, only wealthy owners – like those of Drum Castle – could afford light and air for their homes. Poorer subjects, on the other hand, often bricked up their windows to save money.
Personal note: Small craft fair
We came to Drum Castle rather by chance in the first week of October; we had some time to spare on the way to Aberdeen for our flight home. Normally the castle would have closed by now, but there was a small craft fair going on. Mainly jewellery, but there were also photos and even special pastries on offer that day. So we were not only able to visit the castle, but also enjoy a bit of flea market atmosphere.
How to get there:
With satnav: “AB31 5EY” will get you very close.
Without satnav: From Aberdeen, take the A93 towards Ballater and Braemar. About a mile after Peterculter, look out for the brown sign and turn right. After a few hundred metres, turn left again and continue to the car park.