Drumlanrig Castle & Clan Douglas | An Interview with Claire Oram

As we celebrate Clan Douglas as our Clan of the month, we were delighted to sit down with Claire Oram, Castle Manager at Drumlanrig Castle, one of the most famous strongholds of the clan. Spectacular on the outside and full of history and amazing artefacts on the inside, Claire tells us the magnificent story of Drumlanrig Castle, including the world-famous Buccleuch collection and even the filming of one of our favourite TV shows, Outlander.

My role since joining Buccleuch in 1989 has changed quite significantly. I began my journey here as Admin Assistant and in 2004 found myself being offered the post of Castle Manager when it arose which I’ve now been in for seventeen years. As you can imagine over that time it has changed and evolved significantly and I thoroughly enjoy the challenges that the different aspects of it present. My main role, while we continue to evolve, is the opening of the Castle to the public during the summer months and ensuring that the visitors receive the 5* visit that we have strived hard to achieve. We also now are able to host small wedding ceremonies in the times that we aren’t doing open for tours, and during the closed season we now host shoot parties visiting the Estate and wish to stay on site. The full-time permanent team at Drumlanrig is a small one by today’s standards but we are also lucky enough to have a good solid seasonal team that we are able to grow during the times when we are open to the public.

Originally I was lucky enough to live on site in one of the towers that you see at the front of the Castle but I now live with my family in an Estate property in Carronbridge, a small village, only 3 miles away - so a quick commute to work each day.

Throughout March, we are celebrating all things Clan Douglas. Can you share the history behind the castle and it's association with the Douglas family?

Drumlanrig Castle as you know is the ancestral seat of the Douglas family. The Castle that stands today is the third one on the site and was built by William Douglas, 1^st Duke of Queensberry between 1679 and 1691 using stone from our local quarry. Duke William is said to have regretted the expense of the build which had taken over ten years, and a curse was said to have been put onto the accounts he received for the work – ‘The Deil pike out his een, wha looks herein’ and legend has it that no-one has ever found said accounts even to this day.

When you visit the Castle you are able to stand in the centre courtyard and see the completed stages of the building by the dates shown above the four door entrances. The family crest can be seen throughout the Castle, on ceilings, carpets, stonework and even on the leather wallpaper found in the Front Hall, today’s entrance to the Castle, and the story behind it dates back to the time of Robert the Bruce and James Douglas, and is certainly one well worth recounting.

Robert the Bruce had always wanted to travel on crusade into the Holy Land, however by 1329 he knew that this sadly was no longer going to be a wish his frail body would grant him. He therefore gathered his men together and asked that once he had died, his heart be removed from his body, be embalmed, placed into a silver casket and be carried into crusade by one of his worthy knights. James Douglas, his closest confident and right hand man was therefore given this most trusted task. This he duly did; however following an error in judgment, Douglas and his men found themselves to be surrounded by the enemy and knowing that there would be no way out for them, he removed the heart from the casket that hung around his neck, and he carried with him and threw it into the midst of the enemy crying - ‘Forward, brave heart, as ever thou were wont to do, and Douglas will follow thee or die’. The motto remains that of the family to this day. The crest used today that you see around the Castle represents the heart belonging to Bruce, the wings representing its flight into battle, and the crown belonging to King Robert the Bruce. A true Braveheart!

What was the relationship between the Douglas family and the monarchy?

The relationship between the Douglas family and the monarchy has always been a close one as history tells us. William Douglas who built the Castle was held in esteem by the monarchy which can be seen in his career progression, holding the position of Scottish Privy Councillor in 1667, Lord Justice General from 1680 to 1682 and Lord High Treasurer of Scotland from 1682 to 1686. James Douglas 2^nd Duke of Queensberry also held many important government positions during the reign of Queen Anne and was known as the ‘Union Duke’ responsible for the act which created the United Kingdom we know today.

There have also been other notable members of the family such as the Duke of Monmouth, the illegitimate son of Charles II who married Anne Scott, 4^thCountess of Buccleuch and for whom the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch were created. The close relationship has continued throughout history until today’s Duke Richard, 10^th Duke of Buccleuch and 12^th Duke of Queensberry, the two titles joining together in 1810.

I love the quote on your website “if you think it’s beautiful on the outside, wait until you see what’s waiting for you inside”. How much has the castle changed (both outside and in) since it was first built? Do you have a favourite element of the castle?

The Castle inside is a treasure trove of beautiful and breathtaking items that all have their place in history and a story to tell. The outside of the main building hasn’t changed but the gardens have evolved greatly over the years and it is somewhat remarkable that the team of four today is able to maintain and continually develop them compared to the hundred that once worked here.

There have however been changes made to the interior as you can imagine. The front hall was originally an open loggia leading into the centre Courtyard which was crossed to the grand door at the south side which provided the original entrance. The open loggia was glazed in 1812 following the suggestion of Sir Walter Scott. On the south entrance side of the building at this time was a small ‘low’ dining room and a drawing room. Today the drawing-room has become what we know as the Serving Room and the dining room having been joined with the adjoining room has become the Dining Room that we have today. The floor above the open loggia now divided into bedrooms, was originally one long gallery.

The most recent changes inside the Castle are in the Boudoir which is one of the rooms seen on the tour of the Castle. The Inner Hall is also currently being refurbished and will hopefully be finished ready for when we are able to open the Castle for tours again.

The Buccleuch Collection is at Drumlanrig Castle, Bowhill House in Selkirk and Boughton House in Northamptonshire. It has been developed over six hundred years and reflects the different interests of various members of the Buccleuch family from the fifteenth century to the present day. It is made up of art works, music, textiles, furniture, arms and armour, silver, porcelain and an extensive archive with the earliest documents dating back to 1190 when there is a charter from Robert the Bruce of fishing rites.

I recently read a blog on your website about some famous faces that have made an appearance at the castle over the years. Have you been lucky enough to meet any of them, and if so, who was your favourite?

Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to meet some of the characters that were mentioned on the blog!! Imagine spending time with Robert the Bruce before he was due to go on crusade and hearing the plans made with his troops, or Robert Burns and what life was like for him. Noel Gallagher swept in and out on his tour bus and Neil Armstrong visited before my time!

Following on from the famous faces, people might not know this, the castle was used as a location for Outlander, a series that we love here at ScotlandShop! How was the filming and did you get to meet any of the cast?

The Outlander experience was a really exciting time for everyone at Drumlanrig. The main characters were both here along with Simon Callow who was exactly as you would imagine him to be; a true gentleman. All were very interested in the history and the treasures in the Castle and I think enjoyed their time here. A little secret – the author Diana Gabaldon was here before filming started as I believe she likes to see the locations that have been chosen, to make sure that they fit in with how she had imagined them. Drumlanrig is her favourite of the locations that have been used so far! Personally I would have to agree.

Having never been involved with any filming project this size before it was a real eye-opener for us all but definitely one that everyone enjoyed being involved with. Quite unfortunate that the character whose house was portrayed in the programme was killed off!

There are lots of things I love about my job. The idea that I’m walking on the site where historical figures may have walked is definitely one of them and I’m reminded of this each time I walk through the Castle. Every day can be different to the previous one with different challenges, and I really enjoy spending time talking to our visitors and ensuring that they get the best possible experience while they are here. I often find myself selling tickets, or parking cars but have yet to master the art of coffee making which I’ll work on this summer!

When I return from leave and I’m driving down towards the Castle, I appreciate how lucky I am to work in such a beautiful building, surrounded by the breathtaking views across the Lowther Hills. I don’t think that there really is anywhere quite as stunning as Queensberry Estate.

What does a traditional Scottish wedding look like at Drumlanrig Castle and what makes them so special?

Every girl’s dream is to marry her own Prince Charming and there’s nowhere more romantic to say ‘I Do’ than a Castle, and for some now this has become reality at Drumlanrig.

We are able to host wedding ceremonies inside the Castle itself, in the Inner Courtyard or indeed the extensive gardens. We host a very small number of ceremonies but each is special and unique in their own way and we’re very luck to be able to take part in such a special day.

Any fun facts or stories about the castle that you particularly enjoy telling?

Everyone loves a good ghost story don’t they and papers in the Archives tell of strange sightings at Drumlanrig including an Alsatian dog a headless woman dressed in black and a big yellow monkey. Nobody has seen them in recent times but there is always a feeling when walking through the Castle alone, in the dark in the depths of winter...

Finally, when is the castle due to re-open? And what can people expect if they pay a visit?

It’s hoped that we will be able to open the doors of the Castle again at some point during the summer of 2022. We can’t wait to welcome visitors back for tours around the Castle, although it may be in a slightly different way to how they were done before Covid. The Gardens and Adventure Playground will be open at weekends from the beginning of April which is great news and we look forward to welcoming everyone back again!

I think that visitors to Drumlanrig can expect to learn about one of the most interesting and influential families in Scottish history whilst touring the Castle and then visit the beautiful, extensive gardens which become more beautiful year after year. Of course a pot of tea and homemade scone in the old Castle Kitchen is an absolute must!

If the outdoors is more your thing then mountain bike trails beckon or a walk through the woods enjoying nature and the peace and quiet. There really is something for everyone in a hidden, most beautiful part of South West Scotland. We are now able to offer accommodation on the Estate itself in some beautifully renovated properties, for those who would like to spend longer relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet surrounded by the hills and countryside around Drumlanrig Castle.