Outlander castle to remain shut until 2021

A Perthshire castle that found new popularity after appearing as a location in the Outlander television series will not welcome visitors this year.

Drummond Castle near Crieff will remained closed for the rest of the year given the impact of Coronavirus. PIC: CC.

Drummond Castle near Crieff said the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic meant that the property will remain shut until at least Spring 2021.

The castle doubles as the Palace of Versailles in the second series of the hugely popular time-travelling fantasy and welcomes thousands of visitors from around the world each year.

It’s hugely impressive formal gardens are the jewel in the crown of the property, which is the family seat of Nancy Jane Marie Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, 28th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby.

In a normal summer season, around 20,000 people visit Drummond but the safety of staff this year, particularly those taking tickets and cleaning toilets, meant that the castle would remain closed for the rest of 2020.

The Gardens have also been closed for half the season given lockdown.

Sebastian Miller, Managing Trustee, said “It is with regret that we have taken the extremely difficult decision not to reopen Drummond Castle Gardens to the public this year.“We know this will come as a disappointment to our visitors and staff, but due to the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, we feel this is the right option to take.

“The safety of our team, our visitors and our suppliers is of paramount importance to us.

“We will be using this time to carry out essential maintenance in the Gardens, and some restoration work on elements of the stonework. We will look forward to opening the Gardens again in the spring of 2021, if circumstances permit.”

Drummond Castle dates e back to the 17th Century and has featured in many films, TV programmes and adverts. As well as Outlander, it appeared in the film version of Rob Roy that starred Liam Neeson.