Plan A Visit
Group Visits
Visiting Dumfries and Galloway
The Castle
The Buccleuch Collection
The Douglas Family
Attractions
Castle Tours
The Adventure Playground
The Castle Gardens
Walking and Hiking
Mountain Biking
Cycling
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Fishing
Buccleuch Gundogs
Game Shooting
Simulated Game
Stay
Self Catering Apartments
Self Catering Cottages
A busy month for the Garden Team
The Gardens at Drumlanrig are approximately 40 acres – a massive area which was once looked after by a team of 30 gardeners. Today there are four gardeners headed up by Robbie Black who has been head gardener for 25 years this October:
“Its been a joy to work in the Gardens for so long whether it is maintaining the historical elements for the future or creating new areas for visitors to discover. Since I started, we have created and developed the bog garden, woodland garden and restored the rock garden. I also enjoy sourcing a wide variety of plants from all over the world to put into the gardens.”
“The Gardens are a delight to visit in May with colour bursting everywhere. This time of year is probably when the Gardens team are at our busiest. With planting, mulching, tying up various plants and many more jobs. If you are visiting and have any questions about the Gardens or gardening, please come and ask, any of the team will be happy to help.”
Robbie, Head Gardener
May Highlights:
Meconopsis baileyi (Himalayan Blue Poppy)
One of our many favourite flowers at this time of year. Look out for the distinctive pops of blue as you explore the Gardens.
Bluebells
There are visitors that return every year to enjoy the bluebells both in the Gardens and on the wider estate. The contrast of the blue against the fresh beech green canopy is stunning. One of the best areas to see the bluebells is the historic pet cemetery within the Gardens
Rhododendrons and Azaleas
The Gardens and woodlands are full of sweet-smelling azaleas and flowering rhododendron. There is a collection of over 500 varieties at Drumlanrig, including hybrids. Some of the seeds which make up the collection have been collected from all over the world, including the Himalayas, which were sourced over 20 years ago.
Trees
By May the rich green of the trees are a welcome sight. From the treelined avenue as you approach the Castle to the wide variety of trees around the Gardens and Estate. Don’t miss the largest weeping beech tree in Scotland coming into leaf in the area next to our pet cemetery.
Visit the Gardens
The Gardens are open daily from 1st April to the end of September, 11am until 4pm.
You can download a map showing the different areas of the garden below, or plan your visit here.
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