Drumlanrig Castle hosts conferences for up to 100 delegates, dinners for up to 130 guests and drinks receptions for up to 150, with a marquee on the lawn for larger numbers. The castle stands on the Queensberry Estate near Thornhill, in Dumfries and Galloway, in the southwest of Scotland, and it still houses part of the Buccleuch art collection.
Seminars and company events
The private events team handles conferences, black tie dinners and sporting days, and an event manager stays on site throughout. Day delegate packages are available. The rooms can be blacked out, an LCD projector is provided, and the castle has its own event lighting and sound, plus business support office facilities. Groups can combine a meeting with estate activities: clay pigeon shooting, simulated game and stalking, gundog sessions with Buccleuch Gundogs, fishing, biking, walking and wildlife outings. Guided castle tours and a walk through the Victorian gardens can be added to the program.
Weddings and receptions
Ceremonies take place in the wood-panelled Dining Room, in the pink sandstone Inner Courtyard, in the Front Hall for up to 80 guests, or outdoors in the gardens. Drinks can follow inside, with Champagne in the Dining Room or cocktails in the Front Hall. The Bowling Green is the marquee site, with the castle as a backdrop. On public open days the interior is not available for weddings, although marquee receptions still go ahead. The Great Oak Staircase and the horseshoe staircase are used for photographs. For exclusive use, the estate also offers Dabton House, less than 10 minutes away, with 11 ensuite bedrooms and a walled garden.
Rooms and capacities
The Dining Room is the most flexible space: 40 around a boardroom table, 100 theatre style, 80 for a banquet and 120 for a reception. The Great Hall seats 80 theatre style and takes 100 standing. The Old Stable Room suits smaller groups, with 30 at a boardroom table, 50 theatre style, 30 for dinner and 60 standing. Outdoors, the Courtyard holds 130 seated, theatre or banquet, and 150 for a reception. A marquee can be added for bigger events.
Accommodation
There are no hotel rooms in the castle itself. The estate rents self-catering apartments and cottages, which work for a wedding party, speakers or a small team staying over, and Dabton House sleeps guests in 11 ensuite bedrooms.
Catering
Group menus range from tea, coffee and cake to full hot and cold buffets, and private dining in the castle can be arranged. The Castle Tearoom and the Larchwood Cabin café serve visitors during the season.
History and setting
The castle was built in the late 17th century for William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry, and its Renaissance facade of pink sandstone earned it the nickname Pink Palace. Victorian gardens, woodland, an adventure playground and the Stableyard craft studios surround it. It belongs to the same family of estates as Boughton House, Bowhill House and Dalkeith Country Park.
Getting there
The castle lies near Thornhill, about 18 miles north of Dumfries. Dumfries has the nearest station with frequent trains, and Glasgow Prestwick and Glasgow airports are the closest airports. Group visits and events should be booked ahead with the private events team.
