Accommodation

Drumkilbo is a private family home, and the informal look and feel of the interior of the House reflects this. The House is offered for your exclusive use and you are invited to regard it as your home during your stay.

The Robert the Bruce Hall
This splendid hall originally greeted visitors arriving through the 1811 Georgian entrance. It now forms the centrepiece of Drumkilbo House, and has recently been restored under the supervision of Historic Scotland. The medieval 13th century round tower has now been exposed to view and provides a breathtaking glimpse of the past.

The Lorimer Drawing Room
This enormous, elegant Drawing Room was added in 1920. Designed by the leading Scottish architect of the day, Sir Robert Lorimer, the room is enriched by a magnificent ceiling of ornate plasterwork that exemplifies Lorimer’s classic approach to design. A very special adornment is the beautiful marble fireplace surround gifted to Lord Elphinstone by HM The Queen Mother.

The Dining Room
When Lord Elphinstone added a new wing in 1963, one of his objectives was to provide the most elegant entertainment facilities for his royal cousins. The perfectly proportioned Dining Room with its handsome Regency dining table, which seats fourteen, and its inspiring view of the garden is a joyful place to dine. Its impressive marble fire surround was moved from Lord Elphinstone’s previous home at Carberry Tower.

The Writing Room
One of the principal rooms of the ancient fortified tower house, the Writing Room is adorned with an Adam fireplace and commands a sweeping view of the formal garden. The addition of a conference table provides boardroom-meeting capacity for up to one dozen delegates.

The Sitting Room
This large room features a splendid bay window with comfortable seating overlooking the formal garden. It is an ideal location to enjoy Drumkilbo’s famous afternoon teas, replete with home-baked scones and cakes with jams and preserves made from garden fruits.

The Library
This fascinating room commands the best view of the swimming pool. It dates from the early 19th century and was remodelled by Sir Robert Lorimer. It is an ideal seminar room for groups of up to fifteen persons.

The Hall Room
This cosy enclave off the main hall is ideal for small breakaway groups. It is comfortably furnished for up to six persons.

The Billiard Room
What better place is there to retire after a day in the outdoors than the billiard room? The full-size Drumkilbo billiard/snooker table is a century old and has been the focal point for many convivial evenings.

Facilities
Billiards room
Excellent golfing area
Approved and registered for civil marriages and religious ceremonies
Marriages can be held outside in the gardens or inside a marquee adjacent to the house
Linen and towels included
All fuel and power included
Sorry – no pets

The unheated pool is available June to August – guests must supply their own towels

By arrangement
Cook and assistant – Should you require catering during your stay at Drumkilbo this should be provided via one of Drumkilbo’s nominated chefs.

Well-equipped kitchen
Dishwasher
Fridges
Freezer
Washing machine
Tumble dryer

TV and video
Cot and highchair

<Accommodation
Lorimer drawing room
Robert the Bruce hall
Dining room – can seat up to 26
Writing room
Sitting room
Library
The Hall room
Billiards room</accommodation

Bedrooms
5 x twin
6 x double
2 x single

4 en suite bathrooms / shower rooms
4 shared bathrooms / shower rooms

Activities

Gardens and Grounds
Drumklibo House lies amid sixteen acres of designed gardens, created by the 17th Lord Elphinstone between 1951 and 1970. Whether you are inclined to take a morning stroll before breakfast, or prefer an evening walk in the floodlit grounds after dinner, or simply wish to find a shady place on the formal terraces in which to relax with a good book and a glass of wine, the gardens here at Drumkilbo will enhance your stay and match your aspirations perfectly.

The Drumkilbo gardens have attracted many visitors through the years, and are now open to the public once a year as part of Scotland’s Garden Scheme. The sixteen acres of landscaped grounds contain many fine mature specimen trees, azalea and rhododendron walks, a walled garden, and croquet lawn.

The structure of the formal garden was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer working for the Cox family in 1920. The garden consists of two terraces surrounded by majestic trees recently catalogued by the Royal Botanic Society in Edinburgh. The walled garden enjoys superb views of the Sidlaw Hills. Its May asparagus is locally renowned, as are its award-winning fruits and vegetables.

The Woodland Garden
The Woodland Garden divides into two main areas. The first is located around the entrance drive; the second lies under the woodland shelter belts enclosing the policies. Several large trees are worthy of note, including a sweet chestnut planted in 1750 and two magnificient limes dating from 1800. The entrance drive is dominated by a large copper beech and an enormous yellow azalea. The tulip tree, surviving through an offshoot, was said to be the oldest in Scotland.

To the north of the drive, across the old tennis court, are plantings of primula and hostas, while to the east of the drive, attractive grass glades have been cut out of the woodland and filled with interesting trees and shrubs. One glade leads to an old elm that is about 200 years old; around another corner are two oaks, quercus rubra and quercus ilex, probably planted by the Cox family. The beds are planted with small trees such as magnolia kobus and a good example of cornus nuttallii. Under these trees, species of rhododendron and other shrubs are carefully arranged, and it was here that Lord Elphinstone planted his collection of lilies. On the other side of the drive, there is a group of lilac and dumach, rhus typhina.

The Formal Garden
This is located on the west side of the House. The garden structures were designed by Sir Robert Lorimer in about 1920. The garden consists of two terraces separated by a low retaining wall and linked by steps and a small paved area. A high ten-foot wall and yew hedge separates the formal garden from the drive on its north side, ensuring complete privacy. Sheltered by the wall, a long herbaceous border provides a colourful display during the summer months. A covered pergola on the south side of the wall adjacent to the House overlooks the garden and offers a sunny corner for sitting out.

In the lower terrace, which was formerly an orchard, some of the old apple trees have been retained and the curving island beds have been planted with old fashioned roses, Japanese maples, flowering shrubs and groundcover plants. Roses and clematis climb through the trees, and spring bulbs are naturalised in grass swards. Parts of the old shelterbelt planting protects the garden from west winds. There are also several large trees, including a fine specimen of Douglas Fir.

Property location