Drumin Castle
King Robert II granted the lands of
Strathavon (including Drumin) to his son
Alexander Stewart on the 17th July 1372.
Alexander Stewart (1342-1406), referred
to as the "Wolf of Badenoch" was noted
for his temper and harsh justice. He is
mostly remembered for the sacking and
burning of Elgin Cathedral (1390) as part
of a long term feud with the Bishop of
Moray. It is unlikely that he was ever in
permanent residence at Drumin. The
castle is part of the Glenlivet Estate, which,
along with the Strathavon Estate, was acquired by
Alexander Gordon in 1490 from the grandson of
Alexander Stewart. It remained in the Gordon family
until 1937 when The Crown Estate obtained Glenlivet,
along with the Fochabers and Auchindoun Estates,
from the Duke of Richmond and Gordon in lieu of
death duties.
The Castle today stands in the garden grounds of
Drumin Farm which was once the residence of the
Duke of Gordon's Factor. A fortified tower house,
dating from the 15th century. There are no remains
of the southeast wall, most of the southwest wall and
some of the northeast walls. The northwest wall has
the remains of a corbelled parapet, machicollation
and a bartizan at the west corner. Above the
single barrel vaulted cellar was a first floor
hall, second floor hall and third floor chamber
and mural chamber.
There is little evidence of the roof structure.
The walls are thick and faced in coarse whin
and freestone rubble in lime mortar with
roughly shaped freestone dressings, pinnings
and traces of harling. There are the remains of
plaster on the upper window reveals and
internal wall surfaces. Corbells and the remains
of a fine sandstone fireplace survive at third
floor level.
