Drummond, near Crieff, Perthshire
Drummond Castle Gardens
Garden
Place photograph
8.1
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Grand
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.1A formal garden begun in the 17th century, reshaped and terraced in the 19th, and replanted in the 1950s—its old yew hedges and a beech tree associated with Queen Victoria’s 1842 visit still connect the present garden to its past.
The appeal is the garden’s unusual sense of scale and design: a historic formal landscape set beneath a castle, with long-established yew hedges and a surviving tree linked to Queen Victoria’s visit. It is a cultivated place rather than a wild landscape, but its distinctive history and visual character make it a memorable Perthshire visit.
Grand · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapDrummond, near Crieff, Perthshire
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The experience
Allow around one to two hours for the garden, taking time to appreciate its formal layout, historic yew hedges and the story of its successive redesigns. The castle remains closed to the public.
Things to do
Take in the formal garden layout
Explore the formal gardens and notice how the design and planting frame the castle setting. The castle itself is closed to visitors.
Allow time within a 1–2 hour visit
Find the historic yew hedges and Queen Victoria’s beech
The official garden history identifies ancient yew hedges and a remaining beech tree associated with Queen Victoria’s 1842 visit.
Trace the garden’s changing design
Consider the garden’s successive phases: its 17th-century origins, 19th-century redesign and terracing, and replanting in the 1950s.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Around 1 hour
Quick Escape: the formal garden
- 01
Check the current opening and ticket details before setting out.
- 02
Explore the formal garden and take in its layout and historic planting.
- 03
Look for the old yew hedges and the beech associated with Queen Victoria’s 1842 visit.
Half day · Around 2–3 hours
Make a half day of it: garden and garden history
- 01
Visit during the published season and allow time to explore the formal garden at an unhurried pace.
- 02
Look for the ancient yew hedges and the remaining beech tree linked by the official site to Queen Victoria’s 1842 visit.
- 03
Follow up with the garden’s history information to understand its 17th-century origins, 19th-century redesign and 1950s replanting.
Verified history
The gardens date to the 17th century and were redesigned and terraced in the 19th century. The formal garden seen today was replanted in the 1950s while retaining earlier features, including ancient yew hedges and a remaining beech tree associated by the official site with Queen Victoria’s 1842 visit. The gardens have also been used as a filming location, including for Rob Roy and Outlander. The castle is not open to the public.
Hidden details
The beech linked to Queen Victoria’s visit — The garden’s official account notes a remaining beech tree planted to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 1842 visit.
A garden with several historical layers — The present formal garden brings together 17th-century origins, 19th-century redesign and terracing, and 1950s replanting.
When to go
May · June · July · August · September · October · Check the current opening schedule; the supplied official information gives October hours of 11am–4pm, with last entry by 3pm.
The official site lists the gardens as open from 1 May to 31 October. It does not specify a best month or seasonal peak.
Check the forecast and current visitor information before travelling; weather-specific access details are not provided in the supplied sources.
Worth pairing with
Crieff
The gardens are near Crieff. The supplied sources do not establish a specific café, shop or attraction pairing in town.
What to look for
Notice the old yew hedges and look for the beech tree that the garden’s official history associates with Queen Victoria’s 1842 visit. The garden was replanted in the 1950s while retaining many earlier features.
The story
Historic garden; Queen Victoria’s 1842 visit; film location
Best time to go
The official site lists the garden season as 1 May–31 October. Check the current opening details before visiting.
Visit during the published garden season, 1 May–31 October. The official site gives October hours of 11am–4pm and last entry by 3pm; check current hours for your chosen date.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Couples · Families · Photographers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 11am-4pm
- Tuesday: 11am-4pm
- Wednesday: 11am-4pm
- Thursday: 11am-4pm
- Friday: 11am-4pm
- Saturday: 11am-4pm
- Sunday: 11am-4pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The gardens welcome visitors during their published open season; admission is paid. The castle itself is not open to the public. Check current opening and ticket details before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
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Toilets
A wheelchair-accessible toilet is listed in the supplied source row; check availability before visiting.
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Check before visiting
Accessibility
The supplied source row lists a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance and toilet. Confirm current arrangements and route conditions with the garden before travelling.
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Drummond Castle Gardens
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
