Drummuir Gardens Open Day July 13th 2003 - click here to see pictures.

Drummuir Castle and Gardens were once again open to the public in aid of charity through the permission of Mr and Mr LA Gordon-Duff and Diageo plc. Forming an important and very beautiful centre to Drummuir Castle Estate, the Castle is now let to Diageo of Knockando whisky fame whilst the Walled Garden remains in direct Estate management.

The Castle Garden, consisting of large herbaceous borders and intriguing 'gardens within a garden', including a delightful water feature using traditional millstones, is only 6 or so years old. Readily accessible from the Castle itself, this Garden provides the international visitors, who come all year round to the Castle as guests of Diageo, with a peaceful haven in which to take a stroll.

The Walled Garden is rather older, having been constructed and intensively gardened from the early 19th century. Forming a micro climate of warmth even on a cooler day, thanks to the brick lined walls and south facing aspect, it was VERY warm for the Open Day. This Garden is a haven not only for visitors, but also for a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. It is a registered Organic Garden and the range of fruits, vegetables, flowers and trees are not only good to eat, good to look at but also provide a sheltered and abundant habitat for biodiversity. It is hard to think that you are 600 feet high in Banffshire on a clay soil when you survey the Garden and its produce.

Over 300 visitors, young and old, attended the Open Day this year in brilliant sunshine. The Walled Garden is in full vegetable production despite disruption caused by the creation of new paths and the repair of the old brick wall. Robert Gurr and Ronnie Robertson, Gardeners, have made a tremendous difference to the look of the Garden whilst managing to produce delicious organic vegetables and fruit. The 19th century wall that surrounds the Garden is undergoing repair by a team of Michael Craig's Builders from Keith. The only major item now left for restoration is the Vinehouse.

Immediately below the Castle visitors much enjoyed the Formal Gardens laid out by Harry over the past 6 years or so. This area was a paddock where ponies grazed until Harry set to work and now visitors may sit beside the soothing water feature or take a stroll through the herbaceous beds to the Japanese Temple Garden.

Linking the two Gardens is the Wild Garden where the earliest daffodils are always to be found and are such a feature that in the 1960s' and '70s' the Garden Opening took the form of a 'Daffodil Tea'.

Visitors this year were particularly grateful to take a rest from the heat in the cool of the Castle Dining Room and to partake of tea and home bakes served by the ladies of Botriphnie WRI. Some people were even more rested following an Indian Head Massage given under the shade of the Cedar Tree.

Of added interest were the Keith Farmers' Market Stalls selling locally produced vegetables, including organic produce from the Walled Garden and once again the Drummuir Youth Club sold the bird boxes that they make in order to raise funds for the Community Woodland.

The combined efforts raised over £1000 for a number of Charities.

Visitors will have another chance to visit the Castle later in August and in September when Guided Tours are provided in aid of charity. See the press and this website for further details.